Label printer

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to provide a label printer which prints by using data recorded in a recordable/reproducible disc and forms a label for the disc. The printer is capable of creating labels to affixed to various portions of the disc and a disc cartridge of the disc by easy operations, and at a time. Further, irrespective of the size of contents of the disc, the printer can create a label from which contents of the disc are grasped at a glance.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a label printer which prints by using datarecorded in a recordable/reproducible disc and forms a label to beaffixed to a cartridge of the disc.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, recordable/reproducible disc systems have become commerciallyavailable one after another which store and reproduce main informationstored therein and attribute information concerning the main information(which is formed of text data, and includes management informationcorresponding to the main information, a disc title entered by the user,and a main information title corresponding to the main information).

The disc system of this kind includes a magneto-optical (MO) disc formainly storing and reproducing music/voice signals as the maininformation, a rewritable CD (CD-R, etc.) system, and a DVD system formainly recording and reproducing movie data as the main information, anda mini disc (minidisc) (hereinafter referred to as “MD”) available fromSony Corporation as an applied system of the MO disc is a commercialproduct drawing attention of users.

Hereinafter, the recordable/reproducible disc system will be describedby taking the MD system as an example. The MD records pieces of music ormusic information as the main information. Further, as the managementinformation, when a music piece is recorded, a music number and astarting address of the music piece as well as an ending address and adate of recording of the music piece are automatically recorded, andwhen a disc title is recorded, a date of recording the disc title isautomatically recorded. The disc title and the music title entered bythe user are stored as text information. The MD system is disclosed e.g.in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) Nos. 6-325547 and8-36868.

FIG. 18 shows an appearance of the mini disc (MD). Reference numeral 901designates an MD cartridge accommodating a recordable/reproduciblemagneto-optical mini disc having a diameter of 64 mm (2.5 inches). Tothe front face of the MD cartridge, a main label 903 can be affixed, andto a side surface thereof, a side label 904 can be affixed. Referencenumeral 902 designates an MD case for storing the MD cartridge 901therein, and a case label 905 can be affixed thereto. The main label 903to be affixed to the front face includes various types different insize, including the largest type having a size of approximately 36 mm×52mm, and the smallest type having a size of approximately 36 mm×18 mm.The side label 904 has a size of approximately 4 mm×60 mm. Further, thecase label 905 has a size of approximately 52 mm×72 mm. The side label904 is also used by affixing the same to the side surface of the MD case902.

These labels are provided as accessories of each recordable/reproducibleMD, and each user manually writes on these labels with reference to adisc title, music numbers, music titles, play times, recording dates,etc. displayed on a display block of a playback system when the MD isplayed back by the system, and then affix them to respective properportions of the MD cartridge and the MD case.

As is clear from the above example of the conventionalrecordable/reproducible MD, in the case of the recordable/reproducibledisc system, it is presupposed that the confirmation of contents of thedisc is carried out by checking the disc title, the main informationtitles, etc. displayed on the display block of each playback system whenthe disc system is played back by the playback system. Therefore, tomake labels to be affixed to the disc cartridge for use, the user takesthe trouble of manually writing the disc title, the main informationtitles, etc. displayed on the display block of the playback system onvarious labels and then affixing them to the respective portions of thedisc cartridge. The procedure of making labels is very troublesome, asdescribed above, and it is almost impossible to manually write lots ofletters within a small-sized label. What is more, to make several typesof labels has the problem that it demands much patience.

In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the invention toprovide a label printer which automatically prints on labels to beaffixed to a disc cartridge of a recordable/reproducible disc by using adisc title and main information titles written in the disc, and what ismore, makes several kinds of labels at a time.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

A label printer according to the invention as claimed in claim 1 ischaracterized by comprising attribute information request means that, toa control block of a disc playback system which reads main informationstored in a disc in response to a main information readout requestgenerated by external operating means, and reads attribute informationconcerning the main information in response to an attribute informationreadout request generated by said external operating means, theattribute information being formed of text data and stored in apredetermined area in the disc or a main unit of the system, makes theattribute information readout request in place of the external operatingmeans or in combination with the external operating means; print meansfor printing on a label to be affixed to a disc cartridge accommodatingthe disc: and print control means for causing the attribute informationread out in response to the attribute information readout request madeby the attribute information request means to be converted to dotpattern data for print and causing the print means to print the dotpattern data. According to this construction of the label printer, tothe control block of the disc playback system which reads attributeinformation in response to a attribute information readout request madeby the external operating means, the attribute information request meansmakes an attribute information readout request in place of or incombination of the external operating means, and the attributeinformation read in response thereto is converted to dot pattern dataand printed. In this case, the reading function which the disc playbacksystem originally has is utilized, and therefore, without additionallyproviding a new function, the attribute information can be read from thedisc. Further, since the read information can be printed on a labelafter the conversion, it is no longer necessary to manually write dataon the label. Therefore, according to the label printer, labels to beaffixed to disc cartridges can be easily produced, and what is more, asbeautiful labels.

Preferably, the external operating means includes a remote controllerfor externally operating the disc playback system, and the disc playbacksystem includes remote control communication means for outputtingattribute information in response to an attribute information readoutrequest from the remote controller, to the remote controller, theattribute information request means transmitting the attributeinformation readout request via the remote control communication means,and the print control means converting the attribute informationreceived via the remote control communication means to the dot patterndata. According to this construction of a preferred embodiment, the discplayback system has remote control communication means for outputtingattribute information in response to the attribute information readoutrequest made by the remote controller, and the system transmits theattribute information readout request via the remote controlcommunication means and receives attribute information responsivethereto. That is, the printer makes use of the remote controlcommunication means which the disc playback system originally has, andhence without additionally providing a new reading capability, theattribute information can be read and printed on a label, whereby alabel to be affixed to a disc cartridge can be made with ease, and whatis more, as a beautiful label.

Preferably, the remote control communication means comprises means forcommunicating with the remote controller by wire, and the label printeris connected to the disc playback system via the remote communicationmeans in a wired manner. According to this construction, since the discplayback system has means for communicating with the remote controllerby wire, the remote control capability of the remote controller can beutilized to read out the attribute information to print it on the label.Therefore, the label can be easily made as a beautiful label.

Preferably, the remote control communication means includes a connectorterminal that enables the remote controller to be removably connectedthereto. According to this construction of a preferred embodiment, sincethe disc playback system has the connector terminal that enables theremote controller to be removably connected thereto, the label can beeasily created, and what is more, as a beautiful label only byconnecting the label printer to the connector terminal. That is, thisdevice is suitable for a portable disc playback system.

Preferably, the remote controller is constructed in a manner such thatthe remote controller is capable of transmitting an attributeinformation readout request that requests display information, as theattribute information, which is to be displayed on a display block ofthe remote controller, and the attribute information request means iscapable of transmitting an attribute information readout request thatrequests the same display information that is requested by the remotecontroller. According to this construction of a preferred embodiment,the remote controller is capable of outputting the attribute informationreadout request requesting the display information to be displayed onits own display block, and therefore, the remote control communicationmeans, which is responsive to the request, is also capable of outputtingthe display information as the attribute information in response to theattribute information readout request. Since this label printer iscapable of the same attribute information readout request as the remotecontroller requests, all the attribute information which can bedisplayed on the remote controller when the remote controller isconnected to the system. In other words, it is possible to create, withease, and what is more, as a beautiful label, the label which has beenconventionally created by manually writing therein the informationdisplayed for confirmation on the remote controller.

Preferably, the remote control communication means comprises means forcarrying out optical communication with the remote controller, and thelabel printer is capable of carrying out transmission to and receptionfrom the disc playback system via the remote control communication meansby optical communication. According to this construction of a preferredembodiment, since the label printer is capable of communicating with thedisc playback system by optical communication, the attribute informationcan be read by using this capability and printed onto a label, and hencethe label can be easily made as a beautiful label.

Preferably, the label printer further includes remote control meanshaving the same capability of operating the disc playback system thatthe remote controller has. According to this construction of a preferredembodiment, since the label printer includes remote control means havingthe same capability of operating the disc playback system that theremote controller has, it is not only capable of reading the attributeinformation to thereby make a beautiful label with ease but also has thecapability or function as the remote controller, which dispenses withthe trouble of additionally providing a remote controller. That is, thispreferred embodiment is suitable for a stationary disc playback system.

Preferably, the external operating means includes a disc-operating blockhaving a disc operation button group arranged on an outer surface of themain unit accommodating the disc playback system, the disc playbacksystem has a display block on which part or all of the attributeinformation read in response to the attribute information readoutrequest from the disc-operating block as display information, and theattribute information request means has a printing operation buttongroup arranged on the outer surface of the main unit of the system andis constructed in a manner such that the attribute information requestmeans is used in combination with the disc-operating block to make theattribute information readout request requesting the displayinformation, the attribute information request means being accommodatedwithin the main unit of the system together with the print means, theprint control means and the disc playback system. According to thisconstruction of a preferred embodiment, an attribute information readoutrequest requesting the display information is made by the attributeinformation request means which is used in combination with thedisc-operating block of the external operating means of the discplayback system, and the display information as the attributeinformation read by the request is converted (by the print controlmeans) to dot pattern data for printing and printed (by the printmeans). In this case, since a function is used which the disc playbacksystem originally has for reading information to display the same on thedisplay block, all the attribute information which can be displayed onthe display block can be printed without additionally providing a newfunction. That is, it is possible to create, with ease, and what ismore, as a beautiful label, the label which has been conventionallycreated by manually writing therein the information displayed forconfirmation on the remote controller. Further, in this case, theattribute information request means, the print means, and the printcontrol means are received within a main unit of the disc playbacksystem together with the system. Therefore, this preferred embodiment issuitable for a type of the label printer which is incorporated withinthe main unit of a stationary disc playback system.

Preferably, the print control means is provided by sharing part offunctions of the control block of the disc playback system. According tothis construction, the print control means of the label printer isprovided by making shared use of part of the control block of the discplayback system. That is, assuming that the control block originallyprovided for the disc playback system is formed e.g. by a systemcontroller which can carry out general data processing according to acontrol program, the print control means can be provided only byconfiguring the system controller (e.g. by installing a control programtherefor) such that the system also has a capability of print control,in addition to the original disc playback capability. Therefore, in thiscase, through the shared use of the originally-provided function of thedisc playback system, a new disc playback system incorporating the labelprinter can be made without much increasing the whole size of thesystem.

Preferably, the attribute information request means has printstart-instructing means for instructing the start of processing ofprinting on the label, and makes the attribute information readoutrequest after the start of printing is instructed. According to thisconstruction of a preferred embodiment, the attribute informationreadout request is made only when the start of the printing isinstructed, and therefore, it is possible to prevent wasteful printingoperations from being carried out when the printing on a label isunnecessary.

Preferably, the disc playback system includes storage means for storing,as the attribute information, text data read from the disc or newlyproduced within the system as to the main information stored in thedisc, and reads out the attribute information from the storage means inresponse to the attribute information readout request. According to thisconstruction of a preferred embodiment, the disc playback system hasstorage means for storing the attribute information, and hence it ispossible to read the attribute information instantly in response to anattribute information readout request. Therefore, in this case, theresponse to the attribute information readout request made by theattribute information request means of the label printer becomes alsoswift.

Preferably, the print control means converts the attribute informationto a dot pattern for a printing tape formed with a half-die-cut labelwhich is half-cut into a shape of a label. According to thisconstruction, the attribute information is converted to a dot patternfor a printing tape having labels formed in a half-cut form (so-calledhalf-die-cut form). Therefore, a label can be easily formed only byprinting the dot pattern on the printing tape, and only by peeling offthe resulting label, it can be easily made into one that can be affixedor attached.

Preferably, the label printer further includes label-storing means onwhich the printing tape can be removably mounted. According to thisconstruction of a preferred embodiment, the printing tape formed withlabels in a half-die-cut form can be easily removably mounted on thelabel printer, whereby each label in the half-die-cut form can be easilyprinted. Therefore, labels can be easily made one after another whileonly requiring the replacement of the printing tape.

Preferably, the printing tape includes a plurality of half-die-cutlabels continuously formed. According to this construction of apreferred embodiment, printing can be carried out on a printing tapehaving a plurality of half-die-cut labels formed in series. Therefore, aplurality of labels can be easily made from the printing tape.

Preferably, the printing tape is accommodated in a cassette, and thelabel-storing means is constructed in a manner such that the cassettecan be removably mounted in the label-storing means. According to thisconstruction of a preferred embodiment, the printing tape accommodatedin a cassette can be removably mounted in the label printer, and theprinting tape has a plurality of labels in a half-die-cut form formed inseries. Therefore, it is not only possible to print labels in a numberequal to the number of labels formed in the printing tape in succession,but also to repeat the printing only by replacing the cassette, andhence a large number of labels can be easily made.

Preferably, the half-die-cut label of the printing tape includes aplurality of kinds of half-die-cut label which are different from eachother in the size of an outer shape. According to this construction of apreferred embodiment, the attribute information is converted to dotpatterns for a printing tape formed with a plurality of kinds of labelsdifferent from each other in the size of an outer shape, and hence byprinting such dot patterns, a plurality of kinds of labels different inthe size of an outer shape can be easily made.

Preferably, the plurality of kinds of half-die-cut label include a mainlabel to be affixed to a front face of the disc cartridge, and a sidelabel to be affixed to a side surface of the disc cartridge. Accordingto this construction of a preferred embodiment, the attributeinformation is converted to dot patterns for a printing tape formed witha plurality of types of half-die-cut label including a main label to beaffixed to a front face of the disc cartridge, and a side label to beaffixed to a side surface of the disc cartridge. Therefore, it ispossible to easily make the main label and the side label at a time.

Preferably, the half-die-cut label of the printing tape includes aplurality of sheets of the side label. According to this construction ofa preferred embodiment, it is possible to make the main label and theplurality of sheets of the side label at a time.

Preferably, the label printer further includes a print buffer forstoring the dot pattern data therein, and the print control means storesdot pattern data for the main label in the print buffer when the mainlabel is printed, and stores dot pattern data for the side label in theprint buffer when the side label is printed. According to thisconstruction of a preferred embodiment, the same print buffer is usedboth as the print buffer for printing the main label and the printbuffer for printing the side label. Therefore, the capacity of memory tobe allocated to the print buffer can be minimized.

Preferably, the attribute information includes a disc title of the disc,main information numbers, and main information titles, and the printcontrol means creates dot pattern data of the disc title, the maininformation numbers, and the main information titles at a location ofthe main label, and dot pattern data of the disc title at a location ofthe side label. According to this construction of a preferredembodiment, details of contents of the disc are printed on the mainlabel having a larger area, and the disc title is printed on the sidelabel. Therefore, the disks can be easily discriminated from each othere.g. when they are arranged side by side for storage.

Preferably, the attribute information includes a disc title of the disc,main information numbers and main information titles, the half-die-cutlabel for the printing tape includes a main label to be affixed to afront face of the disc cartridge, and the print control means createsdot pattern data of the attribute information at a location of the mainlabel. According to this construction of a preferred embodiment, theattribute information is converted to a dot pattern for a printing tapeformed with a half-die-cut main label to be affixed to the front face ofthe disc cartridge. Therefore, only by printing the dot pattern, themain label can be easily made. Further, the main label can have arelatively large area, and hence details of contents of the disc, suchas the disc title, the main information numbers and main informationtitles can be printed.

Preferably, the print control means creates dot pattern data of the disctitle for one line on the main label, and when the dot pattern data ofthe disc title has a length larger than a maximum print width of themain label, creates the remaining dot pattern data for a next line onthe main label, the print control means creating in succession dotpattern data of one main information number and main information titlecorresponding thereto for each identical line of the remaining lines,and when a total length of the dot pattern data of the main informationnumber and the main information title corresponding thereto is largerthan the maximum print width of the main label, forming the remainingdot pattern data for a next line on the main label. According to thisconstruction of a preferred embodiment, the disc title is printed on oneline of the main label (continuously on the following line if the disctitle is long), and the main information numbers and the maininformation titles are printed on the other lines (continuously on thefollowing line, if a main information title is long). Therefore, themain label can be created in which the details of contents of the discare printed out in a layout which enables the user to grasp the contentsat a glance.

Preferably, the print control means creates dot pattern data of the disctitle from a first line on the main label, and creates dot pattern dataof the main information numbers and the main information titlescorresponding thereto from a next line in order of larger numbers.According to this construction of a preferred embodiment, even if themain label is small in size, it is possible to make a main label whichrepresents the contents of the disc most accurately.

Preferably, the print control means creates dot pattern data of the disctitle from a first line on the main label, and creates dot pattern dataof the main information numbers and the main information titlescorresponding thereto from a next line in order of larger numbers, andwhen all of the main information numbers and the main information titlescorresponding thereto cannot be printed on lines up to a last linedetermined by the maximum number of lines printable on the main label, adot pattern notifying a fact of this event is created as a dot patternof the last line. According to this construction of a preferredembodiment, when all of the main information numbers and the maininformation titles corresponding thereto cannot be printed on lines upto the last line, a dot pattern notifying a fact of this event iscreated and printed. This enables the user to know the existence of maininformation numbers and main information titles which are not printed byviewing the printed information notifying the fact.

Preferably, the fact includes the remaining number of pieces of the maininformation which remain to be printed. According to this constructionof a preferred embodiment, when all of the main information numbers andthe main information titles corresponding thereto cannot be printed,this fact is printed as a notice. The printed notice includes the numberof the remaining pieces of main information to be printed. Therefore,the user can have the number of the remaining pieces of main informationand a total number of pieces of main information recorded in the disc.

Preferably, the attribute information further includes play timesrespectively corresponding to the main information numbers and a date ofeach recording, the attribute information request means having printselection means for selecting and instructing a combination of pieces ofattribute information to be requested by the attribute informationreadout request, the selecting instruction concerning the combination ofpieces of attribute information which can be given by the printingselecting means including, in addition to a first selecting instructionin which a combination of the disc title, the main information numbers,and the main information titles is selected for designation, a thirdselecting instruction in which a combination of the play times and datesand times of recording is selected for designation, and the printcontrol means creates, as the dot pattern, dot pattern data of theselected and designated combination of pieces of attribute informationout of the attribute information at the location of the main label.According to this construction of a preferred embodiment, in addition tothe selecting instruction concerning the combination of the disc title,the main information numbers, and the main information titles (the firstselecting instruction), it is possible to select and designate the thirdselecting instruction in which a combination of the play times and datesand times of recording is selected for designation.

Therefore, it is possible to make main labels richer in diversity.Further, by affixing the labels formed respectively by the firstselecting instruction and the third selecting instruction side by side,a label is obtained which generally gives all the necessary informationconcerning the main information.

Preferably, the selecting instruction concerning the combination ofpieces of the attribute information further includes a second selectinginstruction in which when all of the main information numbers and maininformation titles corresponding thereto cannot be printed on lines upto a last line determined by the maximum number of lines printable onthe main label even if the first selecting instruction is selected fordesignation, a combination of the remaining main information numbers andmain information titles is selected for designation. According to thisconstruction of a preferred embodiment, even when the first selectinginstruction is selected for designating the combination of the disctitle, the main information numbers and the main information titles, incase all of them cannot be printed on the lines up to the last line ofthe main label, it is possible to select and designate the combinationof the remaining main information numbers and titles (second selectinginstruction). Therefore, it is possible to form main labels which areeven richer in diversity, and by affixing the labels made respectivelyby the first selecting instruction and the second selecting instruction,side by side, a label is obtained which gives all of the maininformation numbers and the main information titles correspondingthereto.

Preferably, the print control means creates dot pattern data of a playtime and a date of recording corresponding to each main informationnumber in a manner coincident with a line of the each main informationnumber in the case of the first selecting instruction being selectionfor designation, when the third selecting instruction is selected fordesignation. According to this construction of a preferred embodiment,when the third selecting instruction is selected for designation, a playtime and a date of recording corresponding to each main informationnumber are printed in a manner coincident with the line of the maininformation number printed according to the first selecting instruction(for printing of the disc title, the main information numbers andtitles). Therefore, by affixing the labels made respectively by thefirst selecting instruction and the third selecting instruction, side byside, a label easy to see is obtained on which a main informationnumber, as well as a main information title, a play time, and a date ofrecording corresponding to the main information number are printedthereon side by side.

Preferably, the attribute information includes a disc title of the disc,the half-die-cut label of the printing tape including a side label to beaffixed to a side surface of the disc cartridge, and the print controlmeans creates dot pattern data of the disc title at a location of theside label. According to this construction of a preferred embodiment,since the attribute information is converted to a dot pattern for aprinting tape formed with a half-die-cut label for a side label to beaffixed to a side surface of the disc cartridge, the side label can beeasily made by printing the dot pattern. Further, the disc title usuallyexpresses the features of the disc, whereby the side label enables thedisc to be discriminated from other labels.

Preferably, the half-die-cut printing tape includes a plurality of sidelabels. According to this construction of a preferred embodiment, aplurality of side labels can be easily made.

Preferably, the print control means creates the dot pattern data of thedisc title in a manner such that a center of the dot pattern data of thedisc title along a length thereof is coincident with a center of theside label along a length thereof. According to this construction of apreferred embodiment, since the dot pattern data is created in a mannersuch that a center of the dot pattern data of the disc title along alength thereof is coincident with a center of the side label along alength thereof, the disc title can be printed in a so-called centeredlayout, whereby a side label having a good appearance can be made.

Preferably, the print control means creates dot pattern data of a titlecomment in a fixed form which indicates that information is a disctitle, at a first portion of a printing area of the side label, and thendot pattern data of the disc title at the following printing area.According to this construction of a preferred embodiment, since a titlecomment in a fixed form which indicates that the information is a disctitle is printed at a first portion of the printing area, and the disctitle is printed at the following printing area, it is possible toexplicitly show that the denotation by the side label is a disc title,and since the heads of the disc titles printed can be arranged in a linewhen a plurality of disks are placed one upon another, the side labelscan be obtained which presents good appearances.

Preferably, pieces of the main information in the disc are numbered maininformation numbers, respectively, the attribute information including adisc title of the disc, the main information numbers and maininformation titles corresponding thereto, as well as a date of recordingof a piece of the main information which has a smallest one of the maininformation numbers, the half-die-cut label including a side label to beaffixed to a side surface of the disc cartridge, the print control meanscreating dot pattern data of the disc title at a location of the sidelabel as the dot pattern, when the attribute information read inresponse to the attribute information readout request by the attributeinformation request means contains the disc title, creating dot patterndata of the piece of the main information which has the smallest one ofthe main information numbers in place of the disc title, when the readattribute information does not contain the disc title but contains themain information titles, and creating dot pattern data of the date ofthe recording, when the read attribute information does not contain thedisc title nor the main information titles. According to thisconstruction of a preferred embodiment, the attribute information isconverted to a dot pattern for printing tape formed with a half-die-cutlabel for a side label to be affixed to a side surface of the cartridge,and hence the side label can be easily made merely by printing the dotpattern. Further, the disc title is usually a best expression of thecontents of the disc, and the side label having the disc title printedthereon makes it easy to discriminate the disc from others. Further,when the attribute information does not contain the disc title butcontains the main information titles, the dot pattern data of a maininformation title which is smallest in its main formation number iscrated and printed, and if there are no main information titles, thedate of recording the piece of main information which has the smallestmain information number is printed. This makes it possible to make aside label which represents the contents of the disc to a most extentavailable from the attribute information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of a stationary MDrecord/playback system incorporating a label printer according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tape printing mechanism as a componentblock of the label printer according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram of a printing tape formed with two types ofhalf-die-cut labels;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of results of printing which iscarried out on a main label when an instruction “disc title and musictitles” is selected by operating a print selection button;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of results of printing which iscarried out on a main label when an instruction “remaining music titles”is selected by operating the print selection button;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of results of printing which iscarried out on a main label when an instruction “play time and recordingdate” is selected by operating the print selection button;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of results of printing on a sidelabel;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the FIG. 1stationary MD record/playback system, which incorporates the labelprinter according to the invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the construction of data items of musicpieces serially stored in a disc information-storing block;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a print control program for controllingthe tape printing mechanism, which is executed by the label printeraccording to the invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a print format-setting process;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a print dot pattern data-producingprocess-1 for forming a main label;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a print dot pattern data-producingprocess-2 for forming a main label;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a print dot pattern data-producingprocess-3 for forming a main label;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a print dot pattern data-producingprocess for forming a side label;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of results of printing on aside label;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a print dot pattern data-producingprocess for forming a side label, which is executed to obtain the FIG.16 example;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an appearance of an mini disc (MD);

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an appearance of a system comprised of alabel printer according to a second embodiment of the invention and aconventional portable MD recorder/player connected to the label printer;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the FIG. 19system;

FIG. 21 is a diagram similar to FIG. 9, which illustrates anotherexample of the arrangement;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart similar to FIG. 10, which shows another exampleof the print control;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing another example of a data-reading processappearing in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a diagram which illustrates an example of a manner of sendingand receiving signals and data between the label printer or a remotecontroller and the MD recorder/player during operation of the remotecontroller;

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a label printeraccording to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 26 is a diagram which illustrates an example of a manner of sendingand receiving signals and data between a label printer according to afourth embodiment of the invention and the MD recorder/player, when thelabel printer is used to combine request signals generated by operatinga plurality of request keys on the remote controller and make series ofattribute information requests;

FIG. 27 is a continuation of the FIG. 26 diagram;

FIG. 28 is a continuation of the FIG. 27 diagram;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a print data-reading process in which adisc title requesting/storing process corresponding to FIG. 26, a musictitle-requesting preparation process corresponding to FIG. 27, and amusic title requesting/storing process corresponding to FIG. 28 arecarried out by respective subroutines which are sequentially activated;

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an appearance of the system of theconventional portable MD recorder/player; and

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the FIG. 30system.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to drawingsshowing embodiments thereof. Further, a recordable/reproducible discsystem of the invention will be described by using an MD system as anembodiment thereof.

FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a stationary MD recorder/player as theembodiment incorporating a label printer according to the invention. Thestationary MD record/playback system 1 includes an MD recorder/player(disc playback system) and the label printer. A printing tape 4 is shownin the figure in a state already printed and delivered out of the system1.

The printing tape 4 is a laminate of a base tape having a printingsurface as a top surface and an adhesive treated surface as an undersidesurface, and a peel-off paper covering the adhesive treated surface ofthe base tape. Further, the base tape of the printing tape 4 is formedwith a main label 5 and side labels 6, 7 and 8 as half-cut labels to beaffixed to an MD cartridge (hereinafter, labels formed as such arereferred to as “half-die-cut labels”). According to the label printer,attribute information is converted to a dot pattern for use with aprinting tape 4 formed with labels defined by scored lines (formed byso-called half die cutting) and printed on the printing tape 4, wherebylabels can be easily formed and further if the rectangular areas arepeeled off along the scored lines, it is possible to obtain labels whichcan be affixed to an MD cartridge with ease.

Reference numeral 9 designates a print start button (print start means),which is operated to start a label-forming operation, as describedhereinafter. In the label printer, an attribute information readoutrequest, described hereinbelow, is made after instructing the start of aprinting operation, which prevents execution of wasteful operations,such as printing processing carried out only to print on a label whenunnecessary.

Reference numeral 10 designates a slide print selection button (printselection means) for selecting combinations of attribute informationitems required to be printed on the main label 5. More specifically, bysetting the slide print selection button 10 at a position designated byreference numeral 11 (first selecting instruction), it is possible toinstruct the creation of a main label 5 printed with “disc title andmusic titles” and by setting the slide print selection button 10 at aposition designated by reference numeral 12 (second selectinginstruction), it is possible to instruct the creation of a main labelprinted with “remaining music titles”, while by setting the slide printselection button 10 at a position designated by reference numeral 13(third selecting instruction), it is possible to instruct the creationof a main label having “play time and recording date” printed thereon.In short, any of the above three kinds of combinations of attributeinformation items for printing can be selected by operating the slideprint selection button 10. Reference numeral 14 designates arecord/playback operation button group (disc operation button group)operated for the recording and playback of an MD. Reference numerals 15and 16 designate loudspeakers.

FIG. 2 shows a tape printing mechanism which constitutes the labelprinter according to the invention. Now, the tape printing mechanismwill be briefly described hereinafter. The mechanism includes a printingtape-holding cassette 21 and a printer block 91 (see FIG. 8).

The printing tape-holding cassette (cassette) 21 contains the printingtape 4 in the form of a roll, a thermal transfer ink ribbon 22, whichextends between a supply roll and a used ribbon-take-up roll in a mannerwinding around the two rolls, and a platen roller 23. The printingtape-holding cassette 21 is removably loaded in the printer block(label-storing means) 91. Further, there are provided several kinds ofprinting tape-holding cassettes 21 according to the shapes ofhalf-die-cut labels formed on the printing tape 4 contained and thecombinations of the half-die-cut labels.

The printer block (print means) 91 is comprised of a thermal head 24which is constituted by 256 heating elements arranged in a line at apitch of 200 dots/inch in the direction of the width of the printingtape 4, a tape feed motor 25 for driving for rotation the platen roller23 and the used ribbon-take-up roll for winding the used thermaltransfer ink ribbon 22, and a cassette-detecting switch 26 for detectingthe type or kind of printing tape-holding cassette 21. Thecassette-detecting switch 26 determines whether or not there are holesformed in the printing tape-holding cassettes 21 at locationscorresponding to two detecting levers provided on the cassette-detectingswitch 26 and detects the kind of printing tape-holding cassette 21,that is, the positions and types of shapes of the half-die-cut labelsformed on the printing tape 4.

When labels are produced, a tape printing control system urges thethermal head 24 against the platen roller 23 via the printing tape 4 andthe thermal transfer ink ribbon 22. Further, the tape printing controlsystem drives the tape feed motor 25 for rotation to feed the printingtape 4 and detects a printing reference position formed on the printingtape 4 by a printing reference-detecting switch 28 comprised of a photointerrupter or the like. Thereafter, it causes predetermined heatingelements of the thermal head 24 to generate heat in a manner timed toeach reference feed pitch (200 dots/inch) of the printing tape 4,whereby ink of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 22 is transferred ontothe printing tape 4 by a plurality of columns of dots to printcharacters.

FIG. 3 shows in detail a printing tape as an example of a combination ofhalf-die-cut labels selected in respect of type and number from severaltypes of half-die-cut labels having respective shapes are combined witheach other. Reference numeral 4 designates a printing tape, referencenumeral 5 a main label and reference numerals 6, 7 and 8 side labels.There are formed three side labels, since they have to be affixed, ifrequired, to side surfaces of an MD cartridge (disc cartridge: see, forinstance, the MD cartridge 901 described above with reference to FIG.18) or a casing of an MD (see e.g. the casing 902 appearing in thefigure).

Reference numeral 35 designates a printing reference hole. The printingreference-detecting switch 28 detects this hole to print a disc title,music titles and the like at predetermined locations with reference tothe hole.

Reference numeral 36 designates a printing reference hole for acombination label to be printed in the following printing operation. Aportion surrounded by two-dot chain lines 31 is the maximum printingarea 32 of the main label 5. The maximum printing area 32 has a maximumprinting width H of approximately 32.5 mm, which is identical in widthto the column of dots of the 256 heating elements constituting thethermal head 24. The maximum printing area 32 has a maximum printinglength L of approximately 48 mm, which is constituted by 378 referencefeed pitches, while margins having an identical length have beenallocated to longitudinal opposite ends of the main label 5. When theheight of a character to be printed and a spacing between lines areconstituted by 16 reference feed pitches and 2 reference feed pitchesrespectively, it becomes possible to print maximum 21 lines within themaximum printing length L. A portion surrounded by two-dot chain lines33 is the maximum printing area 34 of the side labels, which isidentical in size to the maximum printing area 32 of the main label.Further, the center line of each label located within the maximumprinting area 34 in the direction of the maximum printing length Lcoincides with that of the side label in the direction of the lengththereof. When the side labels are printed, characters are arranged atposition where the side labels 6, 7 and 8 overlap the maximum printingarea 34 of the side labels are placed.

As described above, according to the label printer, the printing tape 4formed with half-die-cut labels thereon can be removably loaded forprinting on the half-die-cut labels, and hence it is possible to easilyproduce labels one after another by changing printing tapes 4. Morespecifically, a printing tape 4 is accommodated in the printingtape-holding cassette (cassette) 21 and the printing tape 4 accommodatedin the printing tape-holding cassette 21 can be removably loaded in thelabel printer, and moreover the printing tape 4 is formed with aplurality of sequential half-die-cut labels. Therefore, it is possiblenot only to successively create the same number of labels as that of thehalf-die-cut labels formed on the printing tape 4, but also to easilyrepeat the creation of labels by changing printing tape-holdingcassettes 21, which enables a lot of labels to be produced with ease.

Further, in the case of the label printer, the half-die-cut labelsformed on the printing tape 4 include a plurality of types ofhalf-die-cut labels different in outer shape and size from each other.As a result, by converting various kinds of attribute information,described hereinbelow, to a dot pattern for use with a printing tape 4formed with a plurality of types of half-die-cut labels different inouter shape and size from each other, and printing the same on theprinting tape 4, it is possible to easily create a plurality of types oflabels different in outer shape and size from each other.

The above plurality of types of half-die-cut labels include a main label5 (see the main label 903 appearing in FIG. 18) affixed to a top surfaceof an MD cartridge (disc cartridge: see FIG. 18) 901 and side labels(see the side labels 904 shown in FIG. 18) affixed to side surfaces ofthe MD cartridge (disc cartridge), so that by converting attributeinformation to a dot pattern for the printing tape 4 formed with theplurality of types of half-die-cut labels including the main label 5 andthe side labels 6 or the like, and printing the same on the printingtape 4, it is possible to produce the main label 5 and the side labels 6or the like simultaneously with ease.

In the case of the example shown FIG. 3, the printing tape 4 is formedwith (includes) three (a plurality of) side labels 6 to 8 ashalf-die-cut labels, and hence the label printer is capable of creatingthe main label 5 as well as the three side labels 6, etc. simultaneouslywith ease.

In the label printer, attribute information required to be printedcontains the disc title of an MD disc, a music number (main informationnumber) as well as a music title (main information title), play time anda recording date corresponding to the music number. Further, details ofthe contents of a disc are printed on a main label 5 having a relativelylarge area, while a disc title and the like are printed on a side label6 and the like, which makes it possible to easily distinguish discs fromeach other, when discs are placed side by side for storage.

In the following, the print format (print dot pattern) of a main label 5will be described.

FIG. 4 shows an image representative of the results of printing on amain label 5, which is carried out when the first selecting instruction(11) “disc title and music titles”, described above with reference toFIG. 1, is selected by the print selection button (print selectionmeans) 10.

Reference numeral 41 designates a disc title, which is printed from afirst column on a first line on the main label 5. Reference numeral 42designates music numbers (main information numbers). The music numbersare serial numbers starting from music number 1 and printed from a firstcolumn. Reference numeral 43 designates the music title (maininformation title) of music number 1. All the music titles are printedfrom the same music title-starting column after the respective musicnumbers and hence music titles have heads thereof aligned with eachother. Reference number 44 designates the music title of music number 2,which is printed in a manner automatically extending to a next line,since the music title is too long to be printed on a line. Referencenumeral 45 designates a blank generated due to the music title of musicnumber 3 being left not entered. Reference numeral 46 designates theundermost line, i.e. the 21-th line, on which are printed, from a firstcolumn, a comment of a predetermined phrase “and other music titles”expressing that there are music numbers left unprinted, and the numberof unprinted or remaining music pieces.

As described above, when a music number (main information number) 42 anda music title 43 or the like corresponding thereto are printed side byside on an identical line on the main label 5, the music number isnecessarily printed, so that the user can easily recognize whether ornot a music title corresponding thereto is recorded.

It should be noted that in the example described above with reference toFIG. 4, a separator “:” is inserted after each music number (before eachmusic title) and hence even if each music number is omitted, it ispossible to determine with reference to a separator whether or not amusic title is recorded (hereinafter the separator is referred to as a“pre-music title mark (pre-main information title mark), which means amark placed before a music title). That is, it is possible to determinewith reference to a music number (main information number) and/or apre-music title mark whether or not a music title is recorded. Further,by using a music number and/or a pre-music title mark, the user can beprevented from being confused in determining to which music a musictitle belongs, even when a long music title is printed in a mannercontinued to a next line.

Further, when a lot of pieces of music are recorded in an MD, as shownin the above example, the number of music pieces whose titles are notyet printed is printed on the last line, so that the user can recognizethe number of pieces other than pieces whose titles are printed.Furthermore, since the disc title is printed together with the musictitles and music numbers, the user can understand all the contents ofthe MD cassette, if only he (she) views the main label thereof. Althoughin the above example, the comment “and other music titles” is used, anyother comment, such as “unprinted number” or “a total of . . . ”, may beemployed, which the user can associate with the presence of music pieceswhose titles are not printed. Further, any mark (for instance, “·” or“.”) other than the separator “:” may be used as a pre-music title markor a space may be inserted so long as it serves as a mark indicative ofseparation of a music number from a music title.

FIG. 5 shows an image representative of the results of printing on amain label 5, which is carried out when the second selecting instruction(12) for selecting “remaining music titles”, described above withreference to FIG. 1, is selected by the print selection button 10.Reference numeral 51 designates the title of music number 13 as thefirst music number of music pieces left unprinted, while referencenumeral 52 designates the title of the last music number thereof, whichshows that a total of seventeen pieces of music are recorded in this MD.

When this main label 5 created when the second selecting instruction(12) for selecting “remaining music titles” is selected and the mainlabel 5 produced when the first selecting instruction for selecting“disc title and music titles” is selected, described hereinabove withreference to FIG. 4, are affixed to the MD case 902 side by side insteadof the case label 905 described above with reference to FIG. 18, forinstance, the user can obtain a label enabling him (her) to recognizeall the music titles recorded.

FIG. 6 shows an image representative of the results of printing on amain label 5, which is carried out when the third selecting instruction(13) for selecting “play time and recording date”, described above withreference to FIG. 1, is selected by the print selection button 10.Reference numeral 61 designates the play time of music number 1 andreference numeral 62 designates the recording date of music number 1.Reference numeral 63 and reference numeral 64, printed on a second linedesignate the play time and recording date of music number 2,respectively. Reference numeral 65 and reference numeral 66 designatethe play time and recording date of music number 3, respectively. Thereis generated a blank line immediately thereabove, since the music title44 of music number 2 is printed on two lines. As described above, theplay time and recording date of each music number is printed on the sameline as the line on the main label 5 printed with each music numberwhich is produced when the first selecting instruction for selecting“disc title and music titles” shown in FIG. 4 is selected.

When the above main label 5 produced when the third selectinginstruction (13) for selecting “play time and recording date” isselected and the main label 5 produced when the first selectinginstruction for selecting “disc title and music titles” is selected, asdescribed hereinabove with reference to FIG. 4, are affixed to the MDcase 902 side by side instead of e.g. the case label 905 described abovewith reference to FIG. 18, it is possible to obtain a label printed withall information of each piece of music, that is, information of thenumber, title, play time and recording date of each piece of music onthe same line. Although in the illustrated example, no information isprinted on the line having the disc title printed thereon, the totalplay time of the disc and the date of recording the disc title may beprinted side by side on the line after the disc title.

As described above, according to the label printer, attributeinformation is converted to a dot pattern for use with a printing tape4, which is formed with half-die-cut labels thereon so as to produce amain label 5 to be affixed to a top surface of the MD cartridge (disccartridge: see FIG. 18) 901, and printed on the half-die-cut labels,whereby it is possible to easily create a main label 5. Further, sincethe main label 5 can have a relatively large area, the same can beprinted with details of the contents of a disc, such as a disc title,music numbers (main information numbers), music titles (main informationtitles), etc.

Further, the first selecting instruction for selecting “disc title andmusic titles” is selected by operating the print selection button (printselection means) 10, whereby a disc title is printed on a line of a mainlabel 5 (if the disc title is long, it is printed on the following linein a continued manner), while music numbers (main information numbers)and music titles (main information titles) are printed on the otherlines (if there is a music piece having a long title, the title isprinted on the following line in a continued manner), so that it ispossible to produce a main label 5 with a print layout which enables theuser to easily understand details of the contents of a disc.

Additionally, when it is impossible to print all the music numbers (maininformation numbers) and music titles (main information titles)corresponding thereto, on the lines up to the last one of the main label5, a dot pattern for informing the user of the above situation iscreated and printed, so that the user can view the information torecognize that there are music numbers (main information numbers) andmusic titles (main information titles), not yet printed. Sinceinformation of the number of music pieces (the number of pieces of maininformation) left unprinted is included in the above information, theuser can grasp not only the music titles (main information titles)printed but also the number of music pieces (the number of pieces ofmain information) not yet printed and the total number of music pieces(main information) recorded in the MD (disc)by viewing the printedinformation.

Further, according to the label printer, it is possible to select acombination of a play time and a recording date (the third selectinginstruction) in addition to a combination of a disc title, music numbers(main information numbers) and music titles (main information titles)(the first selecting instruction), which makes it possible to form mainlabels 5 richer in variety. Moreover, by affixing labels separatelyproduced according to the first selecting instruction and the thirdselecting instruction side by side, it is possible to obtain a labelenabling the user to grasp all the information generally required ofeach music piece (main information).

Furthermore, when the third selecting instruction is selected, dotpattern data of a play time and a recording date corresponding to eachmusic number (each main information number) is created and printing iscarried out such that the play time and recording date are printed onthe same line as that printed with each music number (each maininformation number) when the first selecting instruction (for printing adisc title, main information numbers and main information titles) isselected. Therefore, by affixing labels separately produced according tothe first selecting instruction and the third selecting instruction sideby side, a label is obtained which has each music number (maininformation number) as well as a music title (main information title), aplay time and a recording date corresponding to the each music numberprinted side by side on an identical line thereon, thereby enabling theuser to easily view or recognize the same.

Still further, in the label printer, even when the combination of a disctitle, music numbers (main information numbers) and music titles (maininformation titles) are selected according to the first selectinginstruction, if it is impossible to print all the information itemsrequired to be printed on the lines up to the last one on a main label5, a combination of music numbers (main information numbers) and musictitles (main information titles), both of which are left unprinted, canbe selected and instructed (by the second selecting instruction). Hence,it is possible to create main labels 5 richer in variety, and byaffixing labels separately produced according to the first selectinginstruction and the third selecting instruction side by side, a label isformed which enables the user to recognize all the music numbers (maininformation numbers) and music titles (main information titles)respectively corresponding thereto.

Next, the print format (print dot pattern) of side labels 6, 7 and 8(side label 6 or the like) will be described.

FIG. 7 is an example of the side label 6 or the like printed with anattribute information item. Reference numeral 71 designates a disc titleprinted on the side label 6 or the like. In the present embodiment, theside label 6 or the like is enabled to be printed with a disc title.Further, when there is no disc title recorded in an MD, a music titlehaving the smallest music number of all the recorded ones is printed onthe side label 6 or the like. Furthermore, if there is no music titlerecorded in the MD, a recording date of music number 1 is printed. Inaddition, the disc title is automatically laid out and printed at thecenter of the side label.

As described hereinabove, the side label 6 or the like printed with thedisc title is affixed to a side surface of the MD cartridge 901 or theMD case 902, described above with reference to FIG. 8, whereby even if alot of MDs are placed one up on another, a desired MD can be found outvery easily. Further, since the user generally tends to record musicpieces in order of decreasing impression, if the disc title is notrecorded in the MD, a music title having the smallest music number ofall the recorded titles is printed. Furthermore, if there are norecorded music titles, a recording date of music number 1 recorded inthe MD is necessarily recorded for the above reason.

As described above, according to the label printer, attributeinformation is converted to a dot pattern for use with a printing tape4, which is formed with half-die-cut labels thereon so as to produce aside label 6 or the like to be affixed to a side surface of the MDcartridge (disc cartridge) 901 or the MD case (MD cartridge or the like)902, and printed on the half-die-cut labels, whereby it is possible toeasily create a side label 6 or the like. In addition, the disc title ofthe MD disc provides a best representation of features of the MD (disc),so that a side label 6 or the like enables the user to easilydistinguish discs from each other.

Further, when attribute information read out has not a disc title butmusic titles (main information titles), a dot pattern data of the musictitle corresponding to the smallest music number (main informationnumber) of all is created instead of the disc title and printing iscarried out. If there are not contained any music titles (maininformation titles) in the attribute information read out, the recordingdate of a music piece having the smallest music number (smallest maininformation number: e.g. main information number 1) is printed. Hence,even when the attribute information read out does not include any musictitles, it is possible to produce a side label 6 or the like which isbest at representing contents of a disc.

Furthermore, a dot pattern data is created in a manner such that thecenter of the dot pattern data length of attribute information (forinstance, a disc title, the music title of a music piece having thesmallest music number or the recording date of music number 1) requiredto be printed is caused to coincide with the longitudinal center line ofa side label 6 or the like, so that the disc title or like can beprinted by a so-called center alignment method, which makes it possibleto create a side label 6 or the like with excellent appearance.

Next, FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of thestationary MD record/playback system 1, described above with referenceto FIG. 1, which incorporates the label printer according to theinvention.

The MD record/playback system 1 is comprised of a section relating tothe recording and playback of MDs (MD recorder/player block: discplayback system) and a section relating to the printing of labels (tapeprinting mechanism: label printer). First of all, the section relatingto the recording and playback of MDs (disc playback system) will bedescribed.

Reference numeral 81 designates an MD-driving block. During playback,the MD-driving block 8 reads out main information (music informationdata) and attribute information (management information data and textinformation data) comprised of text data (text cord data), both of whichare digitally recorded on the MD, whereas during recording, it recordsmusic information and management information on the MD as digital data.Reference numeral 82 designates a signal-processing block, which, duringplayback, temporarily stores management information data and textinformation data read out from the MD-driving block 81 and convertscompressed digital music data into analog music signals for driving theloudspeakers 15 and 16. During recording, the signal-processing block 82converts analog music signals sent from an external sound source 84 intocompressed digital music data for transferring the digital music dataand the management information data to the MD-driving block 81.

Reference numeral 85 designates a disc information storage block(storage means) comprised of the RAM, which stores data of a disc title,music numbers, music titles, the play time and recording date of eachmusic piece, the total number of music pieces, the recording date of thedisc title and the total play time of the disc, as information(attribute information) stored in a disc. The disc information isprocessed for storage by operating a system controller 86 (control blockof the disc playback system, print control means, attribute informationrequest means) based on the management information data and textinformation data which is temporarily stored in the signal-processingblock 82 when a playback process is started (in response to a maininformation readout request).

Among the above disc information (attribute information) items, dataitems of the disc title, music titles, the recording date of each musicpiece, and the recording date of the disc title are stored as they are,while data items of the music numbers, the play times, the total numberof music pieces and the total play time of the disc are calculated fromthe starting and terminating addresses of the management information forstorage in the disc information storage block 85.

Reference numeral 87 designates a record/playback operation block(external operating means, disc-operating block) comprised of therecord/playback operation button group (disc operation button group) 14,which includes a playback button, a stop button, a music selectionbutton, a display switch button and a disc title display button for usein playback (for a main information readout request and an attributeinformation readout request) as well as a title button, a characterselection button, a character-determining button and the like for use inentering text information.

Reference numeral 88 designates a display driver, which receivescharacter codes (attribute information, display information)constituting each data item stored in the disc information storage block85 and develops the same into a display dot pattern for displayingdisplay characters on a display 3 comprised of a liquid crystal panel.The liquid crystal panel of the display 3 includes a music numberdisplay area and a music title display area for displaying music numbersand music titles during selection of music numbers or during playback.Whenever the display switch button of the record/playback operationblock 87 is operated (for making an attribute information readoutrequest), a music title display block displays attribute informationitems of each music piece cyclically in the order of a music title, aplay time and a recording date thereof.

Further, when the title button is operated during playback, the display3 is switched to a text entry screen and hence while viewing the display3, the user repeatedly operates the character selection button to selecteach character and determine the same for entry by using thecharacter-determining button, whereby he (she) can create a disc titleor a music title. After completion of the entry of text information,when the title button is pushed again, the text information is stored inthe MD.

Next, the section relating to the label printer will be describedhereinafter. Reference numeral 90 designates a printer-operating block(attribute information request means, printing operation button group),which includes the print start button (print start means) 9 and theprint selection button (print selection means) 10.

Reference numeral 92 designates a printer driver including a printbuffer 94 and the like. The print buffer 94 is implemented by a RAMhaving a capacity corresponding to the maximum printing area 32 (or 34)of a main label (or a side label 6 or the like), that is, 256×378 memorycells and used as a print buffer not only when a main label 5 is createdbut also when a side label 6 or the like is created, as describedhereinbelow.

Reference numeral 91 designates the printer block (print means)described above with reference to FIG. 2, which includes the thermalhead 24, the cassette-detecting switch 26, and the printingreference-detecting switch 28. Among the heating elements of the thermalhead 24, heating elements located at respective positions correspondingto cells each storing one dot of a print dot pattern stored in the printbuffer 94 is energized for carrying out printing.

Reference numeral 93 designates a ROM, which stores a control programfor controlling the MD recorder/player block, a print control programfor controlling the tape printing mechanism, printing dot pattern datacorresponding to character codes, information of shapes of labelscorresponding to the type of a printing tape-holding cassette 21, andinformation of the position of the maximum printing area 32 (or 34),described above with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the arrangement of data items (attributeinformation) of music pieces serially stored in the disc informationstorage block 85. Reference numeral 101 designates the total number ofmusic pieces indicative of the number of all music pieces stored in adisc, reference numeral 102 a disc title, reference numeral 103 a totalplay time indicative of a play time required for playing all the musicpieces stored, reference numeral 104 a recording date when the disctitle was recorded. Reference numeral 105 designates music number 1 of afirst music piece, reference numeral 106 the music title 1 of musicnumber 1, reference numeral 107 the play time 1 of music number 1,reference numeral 108 the recording date 1 of music number 1. Further,reference numeral 109 designates music number 2, reference numeral 110the music title 2 of music number 2, reference numeral 111 the play time2 of music number 2 and reference numeral 112 the recording date 2 ofmusic number 2. As described above, various data items (attributeinformation, display information) of each of all music pieces displayedon the display 3 are serially stored in the disc information storageblock 85.

During printing on labels, when the print start button (print startmeans) 9, which belongs to the printing operation button group of theprinter-operating block (attribute information request means) 90, isoperated, a label-forming process (see FIG. 10) is started. The systemcontroller (the control block and print control means of the discplayback system) 86 reads out character codes (attribute information,display information) for the disc information storage block 85 accordingto the control program (for use in the label-forming process) of thetape printing mechanism and stores print dot pattern data correspondingto the character codes at predetermined locations in the print buffer94. Thereafter, the system controller 86 causes the printer block (printmeans) 91 to print dot patterns, thereby forming desired labels (a mainlabel 5, a side label 6 or the like).

As described above, according to the label printer of the presentembodiment, the printer-operating block (attribute information requestmeans) 90, which is used in combination with the record/playbackoperation block 87 as external operating means of the section relatingto the recording and playback of MDs (disc playback system), makes anattribute information readout request for requesting displayinformation. Then, the display information as disc information(attribute information) read out in response to the request is convertedinto print dot pattern data by the system controller (print controlmeans) 86, to thereby cause the printer block (print means) 91 to carryout printing.

In the above case, a capability which the section relating to therecording and playback of MDs (disc playback system) originally has as areadout capability of reading out information to be displayed on thedisplay 3, is used, so that it is possible to print all the discinformation items (attribute information) displayable on the display 3without additionally providing a new capability. In other words, labelsconventionally produced by confirming or viewing disc informationdisplayed on the display 3 and writing the same by hand can be createdeasily and beautifully by the label printer.

Further, in the above case, the printer-operating block (attributeinformation request means) 90, the printer block (print means) 91 andthe system controller (print control means) 86 are arranged within amain unit of the MD record/playback system with the section relating tothe recording and playback of MDs (disc playback system), which issuitable for a case where a label printer is integrally incorporatede.g. in a main unit of a stationary disc playback system, as shown inthis embodiment.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control block of the sectionoriginally relating to the recording and playback of MDs (disc playbacksystem) in the MD record/playback system 1 is the system controller 86capable of effecting general data processing according to a controlprogram, so that this section can perform not only its original functionas a disc playback system but also a function of print control byinstalling a control program to serve as a label printer, therebyincorporating print control means therein. Therefore, according to theembodiment, through the shared use of the functions, it is possible tomake an MD record/playback system (disc playback system) 1 incorporatinga label printer, without increasing the size of the whole apparatus.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since the disc playback systemhas a disc information storage block (storage means) 85 for storing discinformation (attribute information), display information (attributeinformation) can be read out instantly in response to the operation(attribute information readout request) by the display switch button ofthe record/playback operation block (external operating means,disc-operating block) 87. Therefore, it is possible to respond morequickly to an attribute information readout request from theprinter-operating block (attribute information request means) 90 in thelabel printer.

It should be noted that in the MD record/playback system 1, basically, atask interrupt (for making a main information readout request or anattribute information readout request) is generated to a main (control)program routine where the system controller 86 is in key entry waitstate, by operating the record/playback operation block (externaloperating means, disc-operating block) 87, whereupon the control programroutine for executing various interrupt handling operations relating tothe recording and playback of MDs is started to carry out the interrupthandling operations.

Further, in each interrupt handling routine, each kind of controlsubroutine (hereinafter referred to as an “attribute information readoutsubroutine”) for reading out character codes (attribute information,display information) from the disc information storage block (storagemeans) 85 in response to the main information readout request or theattribute information readout request is started to obtain attributeinformation items corresponding to the main information readout requestor the attribute information readout request.

The attribute information readout subroutines in the embodiment can berealized by carrying out interrupt handling (sub)routines (or predefinedfunction routines), such as a program for retrieving and reading outdesired data (attribute information) stored in the disc informationstorage block 85 by using the title of the requested attributeinformation or a storage address thereof as a parameter (argument).

Now, the system controller 86 during execution of a main control programroutine, during execution of the control program routine for recordingand reproducing MDs, and during execution of the attribute informationreadout subroutines performs an original function that the systemcontroller 86 has as a disc playback system, so that the systemcontroller 86 in the above state is described as a control system of thedisc playback system.

On the other hand, during the key entry wait state of the systemcontroller 86, a task interrupt for carrying out the label-formingprocess is generated when the printer-operating block (attributeinformation request means) 90 is operated, whereby a print controlprogram routine for carrying out an interrupt handling operation(label-forming process) relating to the printing of labels, describedhereinafter with reference to FIG. 10, etc., is started to execute theinterrupt handling routine. That is, the system controller 86 in thisstate serves as a label printer, and hence it is described as printcontrol means.

Further, the system controller 86 serving as print control meansactivates the above attribute information readout subroutines (steps 402and 403 in FIG. 12, step 604 in FIG. 14, or steps 702, 708 and 711 inFIG. 15) in the print control program routine, described hereinbelow, sothat the system controller 86 also has a capability of making anattribute information readout request, that is, performs a function ofattribute information request means.

Therefore, according to the label printer in the MD record/playbacksystem 1, when the print start button (print start means) 9, whichbelongs to the printing operation button group of the printer-operatingblock (attribute information request means) 90, is operated duringprinting on labels, the system controller 86 as the control block of thedisc playback system starts a print control program routine for carryingout the label-forming process, described hereinafter (see FIG. 10), topass the control to the system controller 86 as the print control means.

The system controller 86 as the print control means activates theattribute information readout subroutines at a time point attributeinformation is required, according to the control program (print controlprogram routine) stored in the ROM 93 and provided for executing thelabel-forming process of the tape printing mechanism, and passes thecontrol to the system controller 86 as the control block of the discplayback system.

The system controller 86 as the control block of the disc playbacksystem carries out the attribute information readout subroutines to readout character codes (attribute information, display information) fromthe disc information storage block 85 and returns to the original printcontrol program routine for passing the control to the system controller86 as the print control means.

The system controller 86 as the print control means repeats the sameprocedures as described above and obtains required attribute informationto thereby carry out the label-forming process according to the printcontrol program routine. Then, the system controller 86 stores print dotpattern data items corresponding to the character codes at apredetermined location in the print buffer 94 and prints print dotpatterns by using the printer block (print means) 91 for forming desiredlabels (a main label 5 as well as side labels 6 or the like).

It goes without saying that although the above processing operations arebasically carried out by task interrupt handling routines, the same canalso be effected by multitask processing or the like.

Further, the system controller 86 as the control block of the discplayback system and the system controller 86 as the print control meansmay be separately implemented by respective controllers.

In such a case, it is preferred that storage means is provided whichreads out attribute information required for forming a label from thedisc information storage block (storage means) 85 at a time for storingthe same, at time point the print start button (print start means) 9 ofthe printer-operating block (attribute information request means) 90 isoperated to start the print control program routine, since in this case,it is possible to prevent frequent communication (interface) between thecontrol block of the disc playback system and the print control meansimplemented by the respective separate controllers, and enable thecontrol block and the print control means to carry out these processingoperations independently of and in parallel with each other exceptduring the interfacing time period, leading to an increased processingspeed of the system.

In the above case, it is more preferable to store control programs foractuating the respective controllers, in separate storage means. In thiscase, it is possible to avoid contention between the control block andthe print control means for reading out the control programs.

Although in the above label printer, an attribute information readoutrequest for requesting display information is made by theprinter-operating block (attribute information request means) 90, whichis used in combination with the record/playback operation block 87 asexternal operating means of the section relating to the recording andplayback of MDs (disc playback system), this is not limitative, but ifthere is provided external operating means, such as a remote controller,the label printer can be configured such that the printer-operatingblock 90 makes an attribute information readout request in place of theremote controller (external operating means).

In any of the above cases, the label printer to which the invention isapplied makes an attribute information readout request to the controlblock of the disc playback system having the capability of reading outattribute information in response to the attribute information readoutrequest by the external operating means, in place of or in combinationwith external operating means, and converts the attribute informationread out in response to the request into print dot pattern data forprinting.

In any of the above cases, the readout capability which the discplayback system originally has is employed, and hence it possible toread out attribute information without additionally providing a newfunction. Further, since the attribute information read out is convertedinto print dot pattern data for printing on a label, there is no need towrite the attribute information by hand on a label. Therefore, accordingto the label printer, an attractive label for use in affixation to adisc cartridge can be produced in a simplified manner.

The above variations of the first embodiment are partly presented in thedescription of a second embodiment (see FIG. 20), and next, the printcontrol program routine (for controlling the label-forming process) ofthe tape printing mechanism, executed by the label printer according tothe invention will be described with respect to a FIG. 10 flowchart.

First, when the print start button 9 is operated, the control programroutine for controlling the tape printing mechanism is activated andstarted.

As shown in FIG. 10, first, a printing tape-holding cassette-detectingprocess is carried out, and the system controller 86 reads in data ofthe cassette-detecting switch 26 of the printer block 91. As a result,information of the shapes of half-die-cut labels and that of theposition of the maximum printing area corresponding to the type of aprinting tape-holding cassette 21, stored in the ROM 93 in advance, aredetermined (step 201).

Next, a print format-setting process shown in detail in FIG. 11 isexecuted. Here, the system controller 86 reads the state of the printselection button 10 (i.e. whether any of the first to third selectinginstructions is designated), whereby a print dot pattern data-producingprogram corresponding to one of three types of print formats (see FIGS.4, 5 and 6) for printing a main label 5 is selected (step 202).

Then, a print dot pattern data-producing process for printing a mainlabel, shown in detail in FIGS. 12 to 14, is carried out, whereby thesystem controller 86 stores print dot pattern data (stored in the ROM93) corresponding to character codes stored in the disc informationstorage block 85 at the predetermined location of the print buffer 94(step 203).

Thereafter, a print control process is started, whereby the systemcontroller 86 drives the tape feed motor 25 for rotation to feed aprinting tape 4 (see FIG. 2) and detects printing reference holes 35, 36and the like formed in the printing tape 4 (see FIG. 3) by using theprinting reference-detecting switch 28. Next, by using the detectedprinting reference holes 35, 36 and the like as reference positions, thesystem controller 86 controls ON/OFF of the heating elements of thethermal head 24 of the printer block 91 in accordance with the print dotpattern data for printing a main label stored in the print buffer 94,and transfers ink of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 22 onto theprinting tape 4 to print on the main label 5 (step 204).

Next, a print dot pattern data-producing process for forming side labelsis carried out, whereby the system controller 86 stores print dotpattern data (stored in the ROM 93) corresponding to a character codefor a disc title stored in the disc information storage block 85 at thepredetermined location of the print buffer 94 (step 205).

Then, the print control process described above in the process forforming characters to be printed on a main label 5 is started to printon side labels 6, 7 and 8 (step 206).

As a result, music titles, a disc title and the like are printed on aplurality of half-die-cut labels formed on the printing tape 4, followedby terminating the control program routine for the tape printingmechanism.

Next, the print format-setting process (step 202) is described in detailbased on a flowchart showing a subroutine for carrying out the FIG. 11print format-setting process.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the print format-setting process is started,the system controller 86 reads in data concerning the state of the printselection button 10 (i.e. whether or not any of the first to thirdselecting instructions is designated) (step 301).

Then, it is determined from the read data whether or not the printselection button 10 is in a state where it selects the first selectinginstruction for printing “disc title and music titles”. If it isdetermined that the print selection button 10 selects printing of “disctitle and music titles” (Yes), the program proceeds to a print dotpattern data-producing process-1 for forming a main label, which will bedescribed in detail with reference FIG. 12 (step 303). On the otherhand, if it is determined that the first selecting instruction forprinting “disc title and music titles” is not selected (No), the programproceeds to a step 304 for determining from the read data whether or notthe print selection button 10 read in is in a state where it selectsprinting of “remaining music titles” (step 302).

If this determination as to whether or not the print selection button 10read in is in the state where it selects the first selecting instructionfor printing “remaining music titles” shows selection of “remainingmusic titles” (Yes), the program proceeds to a step 305 for carrying outa print dot pattern data-producing process-2 for forming a main label,which will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 13. If“remaining music titles” is not to be printed (No), the program proceedsto a step 306 for carrying out a print dot pattern data-producingprocess-3 for forming a main label, which will be described in detailwith reference to FIG. 14.

Now, the print dot pattern data-producing processes for forming a mainlabel will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14flowcharts.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for the print dot patterndata-producing process-1 for forming a main label, which is executedwhen the first selecting instruction is selected.

As shown in the figure, when the process-1 is started, the systemcontroller 86 carries out initialization to set a first storage locationfor storing print dot pattern data of a first column on a first line inthe print buffer 94 so as to print a disc title from the first column onthe first line of the main label 5 (step 401).

Then, the system controller 86 sets the total number of music pieces asfirst data (attribute information) to be read from the disc informationstorage block 85 (for instance, by setting a label (title) of “totalnumber of music pieces” or a pointer (storage address) designating thelabel to a parameter), and activates the attribute information readoutsubroutines (for retrieving the attribute information by using theparameter) (i.e. makes an attribute information readout request),whereby the system controller 86 obtains the total number of the musicpieces (see FIG. 9: attribute information, display information) storedin the MD from the disc information storage block 85. In short, thesystem controller 86 sets the total number of music pieces as requiredattribute information, and makes an attribute information readoutrequest to thereby read the total number of the music pieces (attributeinformation, display information) (step 402).

Thereafter, the system controller 86 (similarly makes an attributeinformation readout request and) reads in a character code (see FIGS. 4to 5 and FIG. 9) of each character (hereinafter, a loop from the step403 to steps 408 or 409 is executed) from a first character of the setreadout data (disc title as well as music numbers and music titles), oneby one (step 403).

Next, it is determined whether or not all characters of the set ordetermined read data (the disc title as well as the music number and themusic title) have been read in (step 404).

As results of the determination, if the reading of the data is not yetcompleted (No), the print dot pattern data stored in the ROM 93 andcorresponding to the character code read in at the step 403 is fixed(step 405).

Then, based on the lengths of dots of the fixed print dot pattern data,the cumulative length of dots of print dot pattern data stored for anidentical line is calculated (step 406).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the cumulative length ofdots calculated at the immediately preceding step can be received withinthe maximum printing width H of the main label. That is, it isdetermined whether or not the disc title or the music number plus themusic title printed on one line can be received within the width of themain label (step 407).

If the system controller is reading in the disc title or the pair of themusic number plus the music title and at the same time the cumulativelength of dots of characters read in at the step 403 is within a rangeof the maximum printing width H (Yes), the system controller 86continues to store the print dot pattern data fixed at the step 405 at alocation for the identical line in the print buffer 94 (step 408).

If the reading of the disc title or the pair of the music number plusthe music title is completed and a first character of a next pair of adisc number and a disc title is read in (the next pair of the discnumber and the disc title are not printed in the maximum printing widthof the preceding characters), or alternatively if the disc title or thepair of the music number and the music title are being read in and atthe same time the cumulative length of dots of the characters alreadyread in exceeds the range of the maximum printing width H (No), theprint dot pattern data fixed at the step 405 is stored at a location forthe following line in the print buffer 94 (step 409).

As described above, when print dot pattern data of one character hasbeen stored in the print buffer 94, the program returns to the step 403to read in a character code for a next character in the readout data.

On the other hand, when it is determined at the step 404 that all thecharacters of the set readout data (the disc title as well as the musicnumbers and the music titles) have already been read in (Yes), thesystem controller 86 calculates the cumulative number of lines of theprint dot pattern data already stored in the print buffer 94 (step 410).

Next, the program proceeds comparison of the number of the data alreadyread in with the total number of the music pieces read at the step 402to determine whether or not all the required data (the disc title aswell as the music numbers and the music titles) in the disc informationstorage block 85 has been read (step 411).

If it is determined that all the data has already been read (Yes), theprint dot pattern data-producing process-1 for forming a main label isterminated, and the program proceeds to a next process.

If there remains data which is not yet read in (No), the programproceeds determination, by using the cumulative number of lines of theprint dot pattern data calculated at the step 410, as to whether or notthe print dot pattern data is developed and stored in the print buffer94 up to a line immediately before the last line for printing (stepS412).

If there remains room to store print dot pattern data at the step 412(No), the music number and the music title of a next music number areset as next readout data (step 413), followed by returning to the step403 to read the character codes of the readout data set at the step 413from the first character.

If the print dot pattern data except for that of the last line has beenstored in the print buffer 94 (Yes), the number of remaining musicpieces whose print dot pattern data is not yet stored is calculatedbased on the total number of the music pieces read in at the step 402(step 414).

Next, print dot pattern data stored in the ROM 93 and representative ofa comment “and other music titles” to be printed on the last line, andprint dot pattern data corresponding to the number of the remainingmusic pieces are stored in the print buffer 94 (step 415).

After execution of the step 415, the print dot pattern data-producingprocess-1 is terminated and the program proceeds to a next process. As aresult, print dot pattern data corresponding to the music number and themusic title of each music piece is developed and stored in the printbuffer 94 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

Further, according to the flowchart, even if the main label is small insize, it becomes possible to store the print dot pattern data of a disctitle and music numbers and music titles, to the maximum extentdependent on the size of the main label.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for the print dot patterndata-producing process-2 for forming a main label, which is executedwhen the second selecting instruction is selected.

As shown in the figure, when the process-2 is started, the systemcontroller 86 carries out initialization to set a first storage positionfor storing print dot pattern data at a first column on a first line inthe print buffer, so as to print a music number and a music title fromthe first column on the first line of the main label (step 501).

Next, although detailed description is omitted, the number of musicpieces already printed is calculated according to substantially the sameflowchart as the FIG. 12 flowchart showing the subroutine for carryingout the print dot pattern data-producing process-1 for forming a mainlabel (step 502). In this case, if the FIG. 12 print dot patterndata-producing process-1 is first carried out according to the firstselecting instruction, the number of music pieces already printed duringthe process-1 may be stored.

Then, a music piece having a music number next to the last one of themusic numbers already calculated (or stored) at the step 502 is set asfirst data (music number and music title) to start a reading procedure(step 503).

After completion of the above settings, print dot pattern datacorresponding to the music numbers and music titles of remaining piecesis developed and stored in the print buffer 94 according to part of theflowchart identical to A et seq. in the print dot pattern data-producingprocess-1 for forming a main label, described above with reference toFIG. 12 (see FIGS. 3 and 5).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for the print dot patterndata-producing process-3 for forming a main label, which is executedwhen the third selecting instruction is selected.

As shown in the figure, when the process-3 is started, the systemcontroller 86 carries out initialization to set the play time andrecording date of music number 1 (see FIGS. 6 and 9: attributeinformation, display information) as first data (attribute information)to be read from the disc information storage block 85 (step 601).

Then, to print the play time and the recording date on the same line asthat having a music number and a music title printed thereon, the lineprinted with the music number and the music title corresponding to theset readout data (play time and recording date) is calculated accordingto approximately the same flowchart (whose detailed description isomitted now) as that showing the subroutine for carrying out the printdot pattern data-producing process-1 for forming a main label, and aprint dot pattern data-storing line in the print buffer 94 is set (step602).

Although each line having a music number and a music title printedthereon is calculated whenever a loop (602 to 607) is executed, to set aprint dot pattern data-storing line in the print buffer 94, as describedhereinbelow, this is not limitative, but if the print dot patterndata-producing process-1 described above with reference to FIG. 12 hasbeen first carried out according to the first selecting instruction, orif the print dot pattern data-producing process-2 described above withreference to FIG. 13 has been carried out according to the secondselecting instruction, the line printed with a music number and a musictitle determined in the process-1 or the process-2 (or the line forstoring print dot pattern data of the music number and the music title)may be stored to set a line for storing the print dot pattern data of aplay time and a recording date corresponding to the music number and themusic title.

Then, it is determined whether or not data (of the play times andrecording dates) of all the music pieces stored in the disc informationstorage block 85 has been read in, or whether or not printing has beencarried out up to a line immediately before the last line of the datastored in the print buffer 94 (step 603).

If reading of the data of all the music pieces has been completed or ifthe printing has been carried out up to the line immediately before thelast line in the print buffer 94 (Yes), the print dot patterndata-producing process-3 for forming a main label is terminated,followed by the program proceeding to a next process.

If not (No), the system controller 86 reads the play times and recordingdates as the set readout data (attribute information) by makingattribute information readout requests, similarly to the FIG. 13subroutine (step 604).

Next, print dot pattern data stored in the ROM 93 and corresponding todata codes read in at the step 604 is fixed (step 605).

Then, the fixed print dot pattern data is stored in the print buffer 94at the location for the print dot pattern data-storing line set at thestep 602 (step 606).

Next, the play time and recording date of a music piece of a next musicnumber are set as readout data (step 607).

Thereafter, the program returns to the step 602 to repeat the stepsdescribed above, and print dot pattern data corresponding to thedetermined play time and recording date is developed and stored in theprint buffer 94 (see FIGS. 3 and 6).

Next, a print dot pattern data-producing process for forming side labelswill be described in detail with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.15.

When the print dot pattern data-producing process for forming sidelabels is started, as shown in the figure, the system controller 86clears the print dot pattern data developed and stored in the printbuffer 94 for use in forming a main label, as initialization (step 701).

Then, the system controller 86 reads a disc title from the discinformation storage block 85 (by making an attribute information readoutrequest which sets a disc title as requested attribute information)(step 702).

Next, after carrying out a disc title-reading operation, it isdetermined whether or not there is a disc title (step 703).

When there is a disc title (Yes), a line of print dot pattern datastored in the ROM 93 and corresponding to the disc title is fixed (step704).

Then the length of the fixed line of print dot pattern data iscalculated (step 705).

Thereafter, to arrange the print dot pattern data at a center of each ofthe side labels 6 or the like, storage positions in the print buffer 94are calculated based on position information of each side label fixed bythe printing tape-holding cassette-detecting process (201), describedabove with reference to FIG. 10, and the length of the print dot patterndata calculated at the step 705, and then, the print dot pattern datafixed at the step 704 is developed and stored at three positionscorresponding to the three of the side labels 6, etc. (see FIGS. 3 and7) (step 706). As a result, print dot pattern data corresponding to thedisc title is developed and stored at predetermined positions in theprint buffer 94.

If there is no disc title at the step 703 (No), music titles are read inincreasing order of music numbers (according to attribute informationreadout requests in which music numbers and music titles are set asrequested attribute information in increasing order of music numbers)(step 708).

Then, it is determined whether or not there is a music title read at thestep 708 (step 709). If there is a music title read (Yes), the programreturns to the step 704 and print dot pattern data corresponding to themusic title is developed and stored at a predetermined position in theprint buffer 94 according to the steps described above.

If there was no music title at the step 709 (No), the program proceedsto determination of where it is determined whether or not all the musictitles have been read (step 710). If all the music titles have not read(No), the program returns to the step 708 to read the music title of anext music number (according to an attribute information readoutrequest).

If all the music titles have been read (Yes), the recording date ofmusic number 1 is read in (according to an attribute information readoutrequest in which the recording date of music number 1 is set asrequested attribute information) (step 711). Thereafter, the programreturns to the step 704 and print dot pattern data corresponding to therecording date of music number 1 is developed and stored at apredetermined position in the print buffer 94 according to the stepsdescribed above.

When print dot pattern data is thus developed and stored in the printbuffer 94, as described above, the print dot pattern data-producingprocess for forming side labels is terminated, and the program proceedsto a next process.

As described above in the print dot pattern data-producing processes forforming a main label 5 and side labels 6, etc., the print buffer 94 iscommonly used both when the main label is formed and when the sidelabels are produced, whereby it is possible to reduce the memorycapacity of the print buffer 94.

It should be noted that FIG. 16 illustrates another example of a sidelabel. Reference numeral 75 designates a predetermined comment “disctitle:”, which indicates that a print following the comment is a disctitle. The comment is printed at a head of the side label. Referencenumeral 76 designates the disc title, which is printed after the comment75. Further, any term, such as “Title” or the like, which can beassociated with a disc title may be used in place of the comment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for carrying out a print dotpattern data-producing process for obtaining the FIG. 16 example as sidelabels, which is distinguished from the FIG. 15 flowchart for the printdot pattern data-producing process for forming side labels according tothe first embodiment, only in steps indicated at respective stepnumbers.

In this embodiment, the system controller 86 reads out print dot patterndata representative of “disc title:” from the ROM 93 at a step 801 tostore the same in the print buffer 94 at a position corresponding to ahead of each side label. At a next step 802, the system controller 86stores print dot pattern data corresponding to data read out from thedisc information storage block 85, immediately after the print dotpattern data representative of “disc title:”.

In the above case, the label printer prints a comment in a predeterminedformat, which tells that a print following the comment is a disc title,is printed at a head of each of a side label 6 or the like, and the disctitle is printed immediately after that, so that it is possible toclearly show that the side label 6 or the like displays a disc title aswell as align heads of printed disc titles. This makes it possible toobtain attractive side labels 6, etc. which have heads of their printedportions accurately aligned, when a lot of MD cartridges (disccartridges) 901 and MD cases 902 (MD cartridges, etc.) are placed oneupon another.

As described hereinabove as to the first embodiment, information itemshaving respective different contents are printed on half-die-cut labelsformed on a printing tape 4 but different in shape from each other,whereby a plurality of types of labels printed with suitable contentsfor affixing places can be produced at a time.

Next, a label printer according to a second embodiment of the inventionwill be described. FIG. 19 shows an appearance of a system comprised ofa label printer according to the second embodiment of the invention anda conventional portable MD recorder/player having the label printerconnected thereto. FIG. 20 is a block diagram corresponding to the FIG.19 label printer.

The MD recorder/player 911 and the label printer 121, shown in thefigures, correspond in basic configuration to the disc playback systemand the label printer of the MD record/playback system 1, describedabove with reference to FIG. 8, respectively. In FIG. 20, correspondingcomponent parts and elements appearing in FIG. 8 are indicated byparenthesized reference numerals.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the system controller 86as the control block of the disc playback system and the systemcontroller 86 as the print control means described with reference toFIG. 8 are implemented by separate controllers, that is, a systemcontroller 937 and a printer controller 140, respectively.

Further, there is provided a print information storage block (storagemeans) 138 (85) for simultaneously reading attribute informationrequired for forming a label from a disc information storage block(storage means) 936 (85) at a time for storage therein, to reduce thefrequency of communication (interfacing) between the control block ofthe disc playback system and the print control means, and furthercontrol programs for operating the respective controllers are alsostored in separate storage means (only a ROM 139 of the label printer121 is shown) to avoid contention for reading out the control programs,whereby the processes are carried out independently and concurrentlyexcept during interfacing time periods, to attain an increasedprocessing speed of the system.

Further, the label printer 121 is configured such that in a case whereexternal operating means, such as a remote controller, is provided, thelabel printer is capable of making an attribute information readoutrequest in place of the remote controller (provided as externaloperating means by remote control).

In the present embodiment, the label printer 121 is constructed asdescribed above, whereby it is possible to use the portable MDrecorder/player 911 as a disc playback system of which the label printer121 requests attribute information.

First, description is made of the portable MD recorder/player 911 havinga conventional construction.

FIGS. 30 and 31 are a perspective view of an appearance of the portableMD recorder/player 911 and a conventional remote controller 921 whichcan be connected thereto, and a block diagram showing the arrangement ofthe portable MD recorder/player 911 and the remote controller 921,respectively.

As shown in the figures, the MD recorder/player 911 includes a systemdisplay 912 (3), a system-operating block 914 (87: external operatingmeans, disc-operating block), an MD-driving block 932 (81), asignal-processing block 933 (82), a sound source 935 (84), a discinformation storage block 936 (85: storage means), a system displaydriver 939 (88) and so forth, which correspond to component parts andelements of the disc playback system for the FIG. 8 MD record/playbacksystem 1.

However, the MD recorder/player 911 further includes a remotecontroller-connecting block 913 having a connector terminal for use withthe remote controller, which is connected to the remote controller 921by a remote control connection cable 925. Further, in the FIG. 8 MDrecord/playback system 1, analog music signals obtained by conversion bythe signal-processing block 82 are supplied to the loudspeakers 15 and16 to drive the same, while in the MD recorder/player 911, analog musicsignals by obtained by conversion by the signal-processing block 933 aresupplied via the remote controller-connecting block 913 to earphones 924to drive the same.

On the other hand, the remote controller 921 is comprised of a remotecontroller display 922 for displaying the music number and music titleof a music piece being reproduced, a remote controller-operating block923 formed of a playback button group for playing back MDs, theearphones 924, the remote control connection cable 925, a remotecontroller display driver 926, and a remote control controller 927. Whenan MD is played back, the remote control connection cable 925 isconnected to the remote controller 921 to allow connector terminal 913to control the playback.

The remote controller-operating block 923 has the same arrangement asthat of buttons used for playback by the system-operating block 914. Theremote controller display driver 926 receives character codes (attributeinformation, display information) constituting each data item stored inthe disc information storage block 936 (85) and develops the same into adisplay dot pattern for displaying display characters on the remotecontroller display 922 comprised of a liquid crystal panel or the like.

The remote controller display 922 has a music number display area and amusic title display area, similarly to the system display 912. Wheneverthe display switch button of the remote controller-operating block 923is operated (for making an attribute information readout request), themusic title display area displays attribute information items of eachmusic piece cyclically in the order of a music title, a play time and arecording date.

The remote control controller 927 causes the system controller 937 ofthe portable MD recorder/player 911 to operate in response to a signalfrom the remote controller-operating block 923 to play back an MD, orreceives each character code from the disc information storage block 936to store the same in the remote controller display driver 926. Duringplayback, the signal-processing block 933 converts digital music datainto analog music signals, and the analog music signals are supplied viathe remote controller-connecting block 913 through the remote controller921 to the earphones 924 to drive the same.

Next, operation of the remote controller 921 will be described indetail. When the music selection button of the remotecontroller-operating block 923 is operated (for making an attributeinformation readout request) to select a music number n, the remotecontrol controller 927 reads out character codes (attribute information,display information) constituting data of a music number m of a musicpiece next to one reproduced from the disc information storage block 936the last time and the music title m of the music number m to store thecharacter codes in the remote controller display driver 926. As aresult, the number m is displayed on the music number display area ofthe remote controller display 922, and the music title m is displayed onthe music title display area of the same.

When the music selection button is further operated, the remote controlcontroller 927 reads out character codes constituting data of a musicnumber m+1 and a music title m+1 from the disc information storage block936 to store the same in the remote controller display driver 926. As aresult, the music number m+1 and the music title m+1 are displayed onthe remote controller display 922.

The user repeats the above operations until a desired music number n isdisplayed. When the playback button is operated (for making a maininformation readout request) in the state of the music number n and themusic title n being displayed, the remote control controller 927 causesthe system controller 937 to operate to play back the music number n. Itshould be noted that if the music selection button is operated in thestate of the music number and music title of the last music piece beingdisplayed, music number 1 and the music title thereof is displayed. Asdescribed above, whenever the music selection button of the remotecontroller-operating block 923 is operated, music numbers aresequentially selected in a cyclic manner.

Further, when the display switch button of the remotecontroller-operating block 923 is operated in the state of the musicnumber n and the music title n being displayed, the remote controlcontroller 927 reads out information (character) codes constituting dataof the play time n of the music number n from the disc informationstorage block 936 to store the same in the remote controller displaydriver 926. As a result, the play time n is displayed on the music titledisplay area of the remote controller display 922.

When the display switch button is further operated, the remote controlcontroller 927 reads out character codes constituting data of therecording date n of the music number n from the disc information storageblock 936 to store the same in the remote controller display driver 926.As a result, the recording date n is displayed on the music titledisplay area of the remote controller display 922.

When the display switch button of the remote controller-operating block923 is further operated (for making an attribute information readoutrequest), the remote control controller 927 reads out character codes(attribute information, display information) constituting data of themusic title n from the disc information-recording block 936 to store thesame in the remote controller display driver 926. As a result, the musictitle n is again displayed on the music title display area of the remotecontroller display 922. As described above, whenever the display switchbutton of the remote controller-operating block 923 is operated, theabove operations are cyclically repeated.

Furthermore, irrespective of a displaying state of the remote controllerdisplay 922, when the disc title display button of the remotecontroller-operating block 923 is operated (for making an attributeinformation readout request), the remote control controller 927 readsout character codes (see FIG. 9: attribute information, displayinformation) constituting data of the total number of recorded musicpieces and the disc title thereof from the disc information storageblock 936 to store the character codes in the remote controller displaydriver 926. As a result, the total number of the music pieces isdisplayed on the music number display area of the remote controllerdisplay 922, while the disc title of the music pieces is displayed onthe music title display area of the remote controller display 922.

In this state, when the display switch button is operated, the remotecontrol controller 927 reads out character codes constituting data ofthe total play time of the disc from the disc information storage block936 to store the same in the remote controller display driver 926. As aresult, the total play time of the disc is displayed on the music titledisplay area of the remote controller display 922.

When the display switch button is further operated, the remote controlcontroller 927 reads out character codes constituting data of therecording date of the disc title from the disc information storage block936 to store the same in the remote controller display driver 926. As aresult, the recording date of the disc title is displayed on the musictitle display area of the remote controller display 922.

If the playback of the music piece n is desired to be stopped, byoperating a stop button of the remote controller-operating block 923,the remote control controller 927 causes the system controller 937 tooperate to stop the playback of the music piece n.

As mentioned hereinabove, FIG. 19 is a perspective view of theappearance of the system to which the label printer 121 is connected inplace of the above remote controller 921. FIG. 20 is a block diagramshowing the arrangement of the system.

As shown in the figures, the MD recorder/player 911 is identical to onedescribed above with reference to FIGS. 30 and 31, and hence descriptionthereof will be omitted.

The label printer 121 is constructed as described hereinafter. Referencenumeral 128 designates a light-emitting diode, which is flickered in oneof frequencies dependent on three kinds of states, i.e. a state wherethe power of the label printer 121 is turned on, a state where data isbeing read in, and a state where printing is being carried out. Further,the flickering of the light-emitting diode is continuously changedaccording to the remaining printing time period. Reference numeral 129designates a printer connection cable, which is connected to theconnector terminal of the remote controller-connecting block 913 of theportable MD recorder/player 911 for inputting or outputting (receivingor sending) of data items.

Reference numeral 133 designates a printer display, which is formed ofthe light-emitting diode 128. Reference numeral 134 designates a displaydriver, which is comprised of transistors and the like for driving thelight-emitting diode 128.

Reference numeral 139 designates a ROM that stores, similarly to the ROM93 in FIG. 8, a data read control program, a print control program forcontrolling a tape printing mechanism, print dot pattern datacorresponding to character codes, information of shapes of labels andinformation of the position of the maximum printing area correspondingto the type of a printing tape-holding cassette 21.

Reference numeral 138 designates a print information storage block forstoring data sent from the disc information storage block 936 andconverted into a predetermined format by the data read control programstored in the ROM 139. The printer controller 140 is connected to thesystem controller 937 by the printer connection cable 128 via theconnector terminal of the remote controller-connecting block 913 tothereby input or output (receive or send) data items. Except for them,the component parts and elements of the label printer 121 are similar tothose of the FIG. 8 label printer according to the first embodiment.

If constructed as above, the label printer 121 is connected to theconventional portable MD recorder/player 911 and uses data items storedin a recordable/reproducible MD (disc), whereby it is possible to form abeautiful label to be affixed to an MD cartridge by a simple operation.

More specifically, when the print start button 9 is operated, thecontrol program routine for controlling the tape printing mechanism,described above with reference to FIG. 10, is activated to form a mainlabel 5 and side labels 6, etc., as described hereinbefore withreference to FIGS. 10 to 17.

However, in the present embodiment, the printer controller 140 sets allattribute information (see FIG. 9) required for forming labels, asrequested attribute information according to the control program forcontrolling the tape printing mechanism, stored in the ROM 139. Thissetting is carried out at the steps 401, 501 and 601 for initialization,described above with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14, respectively. Then,the printer controller 140 makes an attribute information readoutrequest and reads out the attribute information from the discinformation storage block (storage means) 936 (85) via the remotecontroller-connecting block 913 at a time, to store the same in theprint information storage block (storage means) 138 (85).

Therefore, although in the first embodiment, other processes are carriedout according to the attribute information readout subroutines (formaking attribute information readout requests) (402 and 403 in FIG. 12,604 in FIG. 14, and 702, 708 and 711 in FIG. 15), in this embodiment,they are executed simply as a readout process for reading out data fromthe print information storage block 138.

As described above, the label printer 121 requests attribute informationof the portable MD recorder/player 911 as the disc playback system, andhas the remote controller-connecting block (remote control communicationmeans) 913 for outputting attribute information responsive to anattribute information readout request from the remote controller 921.Therefore, the label printer 121 sends an attribute information readoutrequest and receives attribute information responsive to the request,via the remote controller-connecting block (remote control communicationmeans) 913.

That is, since the label printer uses the remote controller-connectingblock (remote control communication means) 913 originally incorporatedin the MD recorder/player (disc playback system) 911, attributeinformation can be read out for printing on labels without additionallyproviding a new readout function, and it is possible to form beautifullabels for use in affixation to an MD cartridge (disc cartridge) 901 andan MD case 902 (an MD cartridge, etc.) by a simple operation.

Further, the remote control communication realized in this embodiment iswired communication, and the remote controller-connecting block (remotecontrol communication means) 913 of the MD recorder/player (discplayback system) 911 has a connector terminal for use in remote controlwhich is removably connected to the remote controller 921. Therefore,simply by connecting the printer connection cable 128 to the connectorterminal, attribute information can be read out by making use of thefunction of the remote controller 921 to printing on labels, whereby itis possible to form beautiful labels, and what is more, by a simpleoperation.

In short, the label printer 121 is suitable for requesting attributeinformation of a portable disc playback system, for instance.

Further, in the above embodiment, the remote controller 921 is capableof making or outputting an attribute information readout request forrequesting display information to be displayed on the remote controllerdisplay 922 thereof, so that the remote controller-connecting block(remote control communication means) 913, which is capable of respondingto the request, can also output display information as attributeinformation to the remote controller 921 in response to the attributeinformation readout request.

Since the label printer 121 is capable of sending the same attributeinformation readout request as that sent by the remote controller 921,it is possible to print all attribute information which can be displayedon the remote controller display 922 of the remote controller 921, whenthe label printer 12 is connected to the remote controller 921. Inshort, labels conventionally produced by confirming or viewing discinformation displayed on a display and writing the same by hand can becreated as beautifully labels, and what is more, by a simple operation,by the label printer 121.

Further, the label printer 121 includes the printer display 133 fornotifying the user of the state of internal processing, which enablesthe user to operate the label printer in an assured manner as well ascomprehend the present situation (e.g. a situation in which printing isabout to be completed) during printing before confirming current resultsof printing. This makes the user to feel assured of the printing beingreliably carried out.

Although in the description made with reference to FIGS. 10 to 17, it isassumed that various data items (attribute information) of music piecesare stored in the disc information storage block 85 (corresponding tothe disc information storage block 936 of the present embodiment), asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 9, that is, various data itemsare serially stored from music number 1, this is not limitative, butdata items can also be stored in a manner arranged starting from adesired music number m (such as the music number of a music piece nextto one reproduced the last time, which is referred to in the descriptionof the remote controller 921). Further, it is also possible to assignseparator codes so as to enable separators of respective data items tobe easily recognized.

For instance, when a music number m is caused to correspond to the musicnumber 1 in FIG. 9, i.e. the music number m=1 is set, and at the sametime a separator code 100 is added to show (store) attribute informationof music pieces, the attribute information is presented as shown in FIG.21. In this case, the arrangement of attribute information is the sameas that shown in FIG. 9, and data is processed substantially in the samemanner as processed by the FIG. 9 routine (the music number m may behandled as music number 1, and similarly, music numbers m+1, m+2, . . .maybe handled as the music numbers 2, 3 . . . ). This enables labels tobe easily formed by processing similar to the subroutines shown in FIGS.10 to 17.

Further, although in the above description, the attribute informationreadout subroutines (for making an attribute information readoutrequest) are not activated separately at the respective correspondingsteps (402 and 403 in FIG. 12, 604 in FIG. 14, 702, 708 and 711 in FIG.15) mentioned above in the description of the first embodiment but theyare activated collectively at each of the steps 401, 501 and 601 atwhich initialization is carried out, this is not limitative, but ifcollectively activated, a starting process thereof may be activatedbefore effecting the print dot pattern data-producing process forforming a main label (203) shown in FIG. 10, or before carrying out theprint format-setting process (202) executed before the step 203. In thiscase, one process is required as a corresponding one, thereby enhancingprogram-processing efficiency.

Furthermore, the label printer 121 according to the present embodimentis separated from the disc playback system, and hence (for instance,when it is operated for playback by itself or together with the remotecontroller 921) even if the MD recorder/player 911 as the disc playbacksystem is being operated, there is no need to keep the power ON, when alabel is printed. Therefore, the print start button 9 may be caused toserve as a power button, as well. Further, similarly, there is no needto keep the power ON when the printing on labels is completed, and hencethe power may be turned off upon completion of the printing.

In the following, for precautionary purposes, a print control programroutine for controlling a label-forming process including the abovementioned details of processing will be described with reference to aflowchart shown in FIG. 22.

When the print start button 9 is operated, the power of the labelprinter 121 is turned on to activate the following print control programroutine, whereby the label-forming process is started (step 211).

Next, initialization of the system including the printing tape-holdingcassette-detecting process described hereinabove with reference to FIG.10, clearing of a RAM as the print information storage block 138, andsetting of addresses for storing initial data items is carried out (step212).

Then, a data-reading process is started, and display information(attribute information) of an MD stored in the disc information storageblock 936 of the MD recorder/player 911 is read out for storing the samein the print information storage block 138 (step 213).

In other words, all attribute information required for forming labels(see FIG. 9 or FIG. 21) is set as requested attribute information, andan attribute information readout request is made for reading out theattribute information from the disc information storage block 936 viathe remote controller-connecting block 913 at a time. The attributeinformation read out is stored in the print information storage block138.

Next, the print format-setting process (step 202) to the print controlprocess (step 206), described above with reference to FIG. 10, arecarried out to form a main label 5 and side labels 6, etc.

After completion of printing on labels, the print control programroutine is terminated to effect a termination process for turning offthe power (step 214).

Further, when the start process is started, a display control process isstarted concurrently with printing processes and controls the printerdisplay driver 84 in accordance with the state of each printingprocessing at (step 210).

In the above description, it assumed that in the initialization (step401) or the like and the disc-reading process (step 213), attributeinformation is read out from the disc information storage block 936 ofthe MD recorder/player 911 at a time, by using an attribute informationreadout request. However, it is also possible to assume such a casewhere attribute information can not be read out at a time. e.g. for thefollowing reasons: data items (pieces of attribute information) storedin the disc information storage block 936 are not configured or formed(in order of arrangement or in data format) as shown in FIG. 9 or FIG.21; data items are split for storage; or data items are different indata format from each other.

Hence, in preparation for the above case, an example of a data-readingprocess will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.23, in which data items (pieces of attribute information) are separatelyread out (by making respective attribute information readout requests),formed (in order of arrangement or in data format) as shown in FIG. 9 orFIG. 21, and stored in the print information storage block 138.

As shown in the figure, when the data-reading process is started, theprinter controller 140 generates the same signal as that generated whenthe disc title display button of the remote controller is operated, andsends the signal to the system controller 937 (for making an attributeinformation readout request) via the remote controller-connecting block913 (step 1001).

As a result, the system controller 937 sends character codes (see FIG.21, for instance: attribute information, display information)representative of the total number of music pieces and a disc titlestored in the disc information storage block 936 to the printercontroller 140, so that the printer controller 140 stores theinformation (attribute information, display information) atpredetermined addresses within the print information storage block 138(step 1002).

Further, separator codes 100 are additionally provided after the totalnumber of music pieces and after the disc title to carry out storageoperation again (step 1003).

Next, it is determined whether or not the total play time of the discand the recording date of the disc title have been stored (step 1004).

If the total play time of the disc and the recording date of the disctitle have not been stored yet (No), first, the printer controller 140generates the same signal as that generated when the display switchbutton of the remote controller is operated, and sends the signal to thesystem controller 937 (for making an attribute information readoutrequest) (step 1005).

As a result, the system controller 937 sends character codes (attributeinformation, display information) representative of the total play timestored in the disc information storage block 936 to the printercontroller 140, and hence, the printer controller 140 stores the data inaddresses continued from the above predetermined addresses within theprint information storage block 138 (1006).

Further, a separator code 100 indicative of separation of data items isstored in a continued manner (step 1007).

Then, the program returns to determination again as to whether or notthe total play time of the disc and the recording date of the disc titlehave been stored (step 1004).

If the total play time of the disc and the recording date of the disctitle have not been stored yet (No), the same operations as carried outat the steps 1005, 1006 and 1007 are repeated to thereby store therecording date of the disc title and a separator code 100 therefor inaddresses continued from the addresses having the total play time storedtherein, within the print information storage block 138.

When the total play time of the disc and the recording date of the disctitle have been stored (Yes), the program proceeds determination as towhether or not data items of all the music pieces have been stored (step1008).

If the storage have not been completed yet (No), the printer controller140 generates the same signal as that generated when the music selectionbutton of the remote controller is operated, and sends the signal to thesystem controller 937 (for making an attribute information readoutrequest) via the remote controller-connecting block 913 (step 1009).

As a result, the system controller 937 sends character codes (attributeinformation, display information) representative of the music number m(e.g. music number 1: m=1) of a music piece next to one which is storedin the disc information storage block 936 and was reproduced the lasttime, and the music title m of the music piece, to the printercontroller 140, and hence, the printer controller 140 stores theinformation in addresses continued from the addresses having therecording date of the disc title stored therein, within the printinformation storage block 138 (step 1010).

Further, separator codes 100 are added after the music number m andafter the music title m to carry out storage operation again (step1011).

Then, the program proceeds to determination as to whether or not theplay time m and recording date m of the music number m have been stored(step 1012).

If the play time m and recording date m of the music number m have notbeen stored yet (No), first, the printer controller 140 generates thesame signal as that generated when the display switch button of theremote controller is operated, and sends the signal to the systemcontroller 937 (for making an attribute information readout request)(step 1013).

As a result, the system controller 937 sends character codes (attributeinformation, display information) representative of the play time m ofthe music number m stored in the disc information storage block 936 tothe printer controller 140, and hence, the printer controller 140 storesthe data at addresses continued from the addresses in the printinformation storage block 138 at which the music number m and the musictitle m are stored (step 1014).

Further, a separator code 100 indicative of separation of data items isin a continued manner (step 1015).

Then, the program returns to determination again as to whether or notthe play time m and recording date m of the music number m have beenstored (step 1012).

If the play time m and recording date m of the music number m have notbeen stored yet (No), the same operations as carried out at the steps1013, 1014 and 1015 are repeated to thereby store the recording date mof the music number m and a separator code 100 for dividing informationitems in the print information storage block 138.

If the play time m and recording date m of the music number m have beencompletely stored (Yes), the program returns to the step 1008 todetermine whether or not data items of all the music pieces have beenstored.

If the data items of all the music pieces have not been stored (No), thesame operations as carried out at the steps 1009 to 1015 are repeated.

If the data items of all the music pieces have been completely stored(Yes), the data-reading process is terminated. As a result, serial datashown in FIG. 21 is stored in the print information storage block 138.

As described above, the printer controller 140 controls the systemcontroller 937 in the MD recorder/player (disk playback system) 911according to the operating procedure of the remote controller, wherebyit is possible to read out display data from the disc playback system.

Further, for precautionary purposes, an example will be describedhereinafter, which will show a mode of sending and receiving databetween a remote controller (for instance, the above remote controller921) and the MD recorder/player 911 by operating the remote controller.

For instance, as shown in FIG. 24, when the user operates a key forrequesting desired attribute information (hereinafter, operating thiskey is provisionally described as depressing the “request key”), arequest process (Q10) as an interrupt handling routine is activated andstarted by the remote controller 921. First, a request signal RQ1 isgenerated to send the same (Q101).

When the MD recorder/player 911 receives the request signal RQ1, aresponse process responsive to the request is activated and started bythe MD recorder/player 911 to carry out the response process (P10 andP101: in the following descriptions and figures, the process isdescribed to be started for simplicity(e.g. P10, etc. are omitted), andresponse data RP1 for answering the request RQ1 is sent (P102) (althoughthe response is sometimes made only by control signals, here, “responsedata” is used to mean such control signals as well).

When the response data RP1 is received (Q102), it is determined by theremote controller 921 (Q103) whether or not the received response dataRP1 is data requested, i.e. desired response data responsive to therequest signal RQ1. In this case, there is provided identification data(of one bite, for instance) at a head of one sending/receiving unit(e.g. a packet) of the response data, and the received response data RP1is identified by using the identification data, whereby it is determinedwhether or not the received response data RP1 is data requested.

When the response data RP1 is different from the data requested (No toQ103), another response data RP1 is requested (Q101). On the other hand,when the received response data RP1 is the data requested (Yes to Q103),the request process is terminated (Q106), followed by the programproceeding to next processes in which received data is stored in apredetermined area or displayed. Of course, these processes (the storageprocess and the display process) may be included in the preset processto carry out before terminating the request process.

However, in the above case, in the MD recorder/player 911, if there areresponse data items to be sent successively, the response data RP1 isset to a first response data RP1, for instance, and then a secondresponse data RP2, a third response data RP3 . . . , and a k-th (k=1, 2,and so forth) response data RPk are sent (P104 and P105).

In the above example, for instance, when the user depresses the disctitle display button (disc title request key), the above process iscarried out, and character codes (attribute information, displayinformation) representative of the total number of music pieces and adisc title are sent as a first response data RP1 and a second responsedata RP2 respectively.

On the other hand, in the remote controller 921, when the first responsedata RP1 is different from the data requested (No to Q103), the firstresponse data RP1 is set aside for requesting another data (Q101), sothat the second response data RP2 is also set aside, whereas when thefirst response data RP1 is the data requested (Yes to Q103), the secondresponse data RP2, the third response data RP3 . . . , and the k-thresponse data RPk are received, followed by terminating the requestprocess (Q104 to Q106).

As described above, the remote controller 921 is configured such thatrequest signals can be generated in response to the operated request keyto send the same, while the MD recorder/player 911 is constructed suchthat response data responsive to the request signals can be sent (inreply). Therefore, if the label printer 121 is also provided with anidentical request key to that of the remote controller 921 to carry outthe same request key process, label printer can effect the same functionas that of the remote controller 921.

Further, the invention can be applied to an MD recorder/player differentin specification from the MD recorder/player 911 employed in the aboveexample. Furthermore, it is also possible to generate request signals byoperating a plurality of request keys thereof and combine the requestsignals for successively requesting attribute information. This holdstrue with the FIG. 10 overall control process, the FIG. 22 overallcontrol process, and the FIG. 23 overall control process correspond tothis case. An example in which attribute information is successivelyrequested of an MD player remotely controllable but different inspecification will be described hereinafter as a fourth embodiment ofthe invention and so forth.

Furthermore, although the description has been made based on an exampleof the system in which information is sent from the disc playback systemto the label printer by using character codes, this is not limitative,but also in the case of a system in which display data is sent by usingdot pattern data, it is possible to read out display data according tothe operating procedure of the remote controller.

It should be noted that as described above, the system controller 937can basically carry out non-printing operations independently of and inparallel with the printer controller 138, but the system controller 937can also be constructed such that it exchanges information of the stateof printing operation with the printer controller 138 during printing ona label so as to display the state of the printing operation (asmessages) on the system display 912. This enables the user to moreeasily recognize the state of operation of the system.

Next, a third embodiment of the invention will be described. FIG. 25 isa block diagram showing the arrangement of a label printer according tothe third embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment, infrared(optical) communication is used to input and output data to and from anMD recorder/player and a label printer.

The stationary MD recorder/player 951 includes an infraredtransmitter/receiver 952 serving as remote control input/outputterminals and a loudspeaker 953. Except for them, the MD record/playbackdevice 951 is constructed similarly to the portable MD recorder/player911 mentioned above in the description of the second embodiment.

The label printer 141 is constructed as described below. Referencenumeral 142 designates a printer-operating block which is comprised ofprinter buttons 143 including a print start button and a print selectionbutton, and remote control playback buttons 144 including a playbackbutton, a stop button, a music selection button, a display switch buttonand a disc title display button. Reference numeral 145 designates aremote controller display block formed of a liquid crystal panel. Theremote controller display block 145 is driven by a remote controllerdisplay driver 146.

Reference numeral 147 designates an infrared transmitter/receiver forinputting and outputting signals to and from the infraredtransmitter/receiver 952 of the MD recorder/player 951. Except for theabove component parts and elements, the label printer 141 is constructedsimilarly to the label printer 121 of the second embodiment describedabove.

In short, the label printer 141 has the capability of the label printer121 described above with reference to FIG. 20 and at the same time thecapability of the remote controller 921 described above with referenceto FIG. 31, while exploiting infrared (optical) communication is used asmeans for remote control communication.

As a result, the label printer 141 is provided with a remote controlcapability in addition to the capability of the label printer 1according to the second embodiment, which enables the printer to formlabels as well as operate the MD recorder/player 951 from a distantplace for playback of a disc.

If the label printer 141 is constructed as above, the conventionalstationary MD recorder/player 951 can be used as a disc playback systemof which attribute information is requested, and moreover, it ispossible to form labels to be affixed to an MD cartridge as beautifullabels, and what is more, by a simple operation.

As described above, since the label printer 141 has the function ofsending/receiving data to/from the disc playback system by opticalcommunication, it is possible to use the function for reading outattribute information and printing the same on labels, thereby enablingbeautiful labels to be formed by a simple operation. Further, the labelprinter 141 is provided with the same function as that of operating aremote-controlled disc playback system, which dispenses with the troubleof having and operating a remote controller separately provided. Thatis, the printer is suitable for requesting attribute information of astationary disc playback system, for instance.

Although in the above description of the first to third embodiments, asystem capable of recording and reproducing data on MDs was used as adisc playback system of which the label printer of the inventionrequests attribute information, this is not limitative, but a systemexclusively provided for playback may be employed.

Further, for instance, the MD record/playback system 1, the MDrecorder/player 911, and the MD recorder/player 951 in the aboveembodiments each have a playback button, a stop button, a musicselection button, a display switch button and a disc title displaybutton. When the disc title display button (disc title request button)is depressed, the total number of music pieces and a disc title are readout, and when the display switch button is depressed, attributeinformation is displayed in a manner switched as follows: musictitle→playing (playback) time period→recording date→music title.Further, when the music selection button is depressed, music titles aresequentially displayed from the music title (music number m and musictitle m) of a music piece next to one reproduced the last time. However,the invention can be applied to a disc playback system different inspecification from these.

Therefore, in the following, a fourth embodiment of the invention willbe described, which can successively request attribute information of anMD player remotely controllable but different in specification.

The MD player contemplated in the fourth embodiment has a capabilityoperable from a remotely located keyboard and uses kinds of (request)keys different from those of the MD recorder/player 911 according to thesecond embodiment, and that to make the system compact in size, the MDplayer has only part of (keys having functions equivalent to) keysprovided for a remote controller, on an operation block thereofcorresponding to the above system-operating block (external operatingmeans) 914. Except for these component parts and elements, the MD playeraccording to the present embodiment is constructed similarly to the MDrecorder/player 911 of the second embodiment. Hence, illustration of thearrangement thereof to be shown in a block diagram as well asdescription thereof will be omitted.

Although in the following, an MD player operable by wired remote controlcommunication is assumed as the MD player of the present embodiment forconvenience of description, this is not limitative, but only by usinginfrared (optical) communication in place of the wired communication,the MD player can be based on the MD recorder/player 951 according tothe third embodiment.

Now, the MD player according to the present embodiment is a kind of MDplayer commercially available, which has, as the above types of requestkeys, a play key (PLAY key), a rewind key (music piece reinstall key)(REWIND key: hereinafter simply referred to as “the REW key”), a stopkey (STOP key), a pause key (PAUSE key), a play-mode key (PLAY-MODE key)(hereinafter simply referred to as “the P-MOD key”), and a display key(DISPLAY key) (hereinafter simply referred to as “the DISP key”). Inshort, the remote controller has the above request keys, whereby it iscapable of causing each function of the MD player to operate.

Further, an MD loaded in this MD player stores information of one musicpiece per one track with each track number and a music number inagreement with each other. The PLAY key has the function of playing backMDs and further, if it continues to be depressed for a predeterminedtime period, it can activate the function of a fast forward key (i.e.send a fast forward request signal as a request signal). When playbackis requested, the MD player starts a playback process in responsethereto and sends the number and title of a requested music piece to theremote controller during playback, whereas when fast forward isrequested, the MD player sequentially outputs a track number (musicnumber) and a corresponding music title whenever fast forward isrequested. That is, the user can proceed to playback of a next musicpiece by fast forward without waiting for each information to bereproduced as music information.

The REW key is a request key for requesting character data (attributeinformation: character data of the track number (music number) and musictitle) of a music piece being reproduced, or alternatively characterdata of a music piece reproduced in immediately preceding playback,depending on the state of the MD player at a time point of depressingthe REW key. When the REW key is continuously operated, the MD playersequentially outputs track numbers (music numbers) and correspondingmusic titles similarly to the case of the PLAY key being depressed butin a reverse direction (in a direction of smaller music numbers). TheSTOP key is a request key for requesting playback to be stopped and thePAUSE key is a request key for requesting pause or temporary stop ofplayback.

The P-MOD key is a request key for sequentially switching modes(playback modes) during playback to a normal playback mode, a playbackmode for repeating all the music pieces, a playback mode for repeatingone music piece and a playback mode for playing back music pieces atrandom. Further, the DISP key is a request key for switching displaymodes of the display block of the remote controller for selection. Thedisplay modes are sequentially switched to a music number display modefor displaying a music title (a music number+a music title), a disctitle display mode for displaying a disc title (or the total number ofmusic pieces+a disc title: hereinafter, description is made assumingthat this mode is in use), a time point display mode for displaying atime point, and a play time display mode for displaying a play time(performance time).

The MD player is configured such that it can send (in replay) responsedata in response to each request signal generated by operating each ofthe above keys, so that if the label printer is provided with the samerequest keys as those of the remote controller for carrying out similarprocesses, the label printer is capable of performing the same functionas that of the remote controller.

Further, it is also possible to generate request signals by operating aplurality of request keys on the remote controller and combine therequest signals to successively request attribute information of the MDplayer. More specifically, a processing program is changed by operatinga newly provided key or an existing one, whereby it is also possible tomake a desired combination of requests for attribute information. Forinstance, it is also possible to provide a request key, such as a “readkey”, to request music titles of an arbitrary number of music piecesbased on a disc title and desired music numbers.

In the above example, as shown in FIG. 26, when the user depresses theread key (which may be a new key or an existing one changed in name to“the read key” be used for a modified processing), similarly to the caseof FIG. 24, a print data-reading process (Q20) as an interrupt handlingroutine is activated and started in the label printer, and first, a DISPkey signal is generated as a request signal RQ21 to send the same to theMD player (Q201).

When the request signal RQ21 is received, the display mode of the MDplayer is changed so as to respond to a request included therein (P201),and character data (attribute information, display information)corresponding to the display mode is sent as response data RP21 (P202).

When the response data RP21 as character data is received (Q202), it isdetermined by the label printer whether or not the response data RP21 isdesired data, i.e. disc title display data (Q203).

For instance, when the request signal RQ21 was sent (Q201), if the MDplayer was in the disc title display mode, the display mode is changed(P201) to the time point display mode, so that the response data RP21 inthis case is character data for displaying a time point. Further, whenthe request signal RQ21 was sent (Q201), if the MD player was in thetime point display mode, the response data RP21 is character data fordisplaying a play time. Similarly, if the MD player was in the play timedisplay mode, the response data RP21 is character data for displaying amusic title (a music number+a music title).

In the above cases, each character data is not a desired disc titledisplay data (character data of the total number of music pieces+a disctitle) (No to Q203), attribute information is requested again (Q201).Further, as described above, in the above cases as well, theidentification data arranged at the head of the response data RP21 isused to determine whether or not the received response data RP1 is datadesired.

On the other hand, when the request signal RQ21 was sent (Q201), if theMD player was in the music title display mode, the display mode ischanged (P201) to thereby set the MD player to the disc title displaymode, so that the response data RP21 in this case is character data (ofthe total number of music pieces+a disc title) for displaying a disctitle. In this case, the character data is the desired disc titledisplay data (Yes to Q203), so that the received character data isstored in a predetermined area as the character data (of the totalnumber of music pieces+a disc title) for displaying the disc title(Q204), followed by the program proceeding to a next process (Q205).

After completing storage of the disc title (the total number of musicpieces+the disc title)(Q204 and Q205), next, as shown in FIG. 27, a DISPkey signal is generated as a request signal RQ26 by the label printer tosend the same to the MD player (Q206). Then, the same sending/receivingoperations and the same determination operations as described above withreference to FIG. 26 are carried out (Q206, P206, P207, Q207 and Q208).When desired music title display data is received (Yes to Q208), next, apredetermined music number (track number) is set (Q209) to set apredetermined number of music pieces (Q210).

In this case, as the predetermined music number, there may be set amusic number which can be automatically detected and set, such as musicnumber 1, the music number of a music piece reproduced the last time andthe music number of a music piece next thereto. Or alternatively, theuser may set the predetermined music number as desired by providing anysetting means for setting the music number through key operation.Further, as the predetermined number of music pieces, there may be set avalue which can be automatically set, such as a value of the totalnumber of music pieces obtained together with a disc title, describedabove with reference to FIG. 26, or a value which the user sets asdesired. In the following, a case will be described by way of anexample, in which the music numbers of all music pieces (e.g. 20 pieces)are set starting from a music number 1, that is, a predetermined musicnumber I=1 and a predetermined number of music pieces J=20 are set.

When the predetermined music number I=1 and the predetermined number ofmusic pieces J=20 are set to the first music number i=1 (=I) and thenumber of remaining music pieces and j=20, respectively (Q209 and Q210),the program in the label printer proceeds to a next process (Q211).Then, as shown in FIG. 28, a signal (i.e. a fast forward request signal)for requesting successive depression of the play key is generated as arequest signal RQ2C and sent to the MD player (Q212).

When the request signal RQ2C is received, in the MD player, a playbacktrack number (i.e. a music number) is incremented by 1 as responseprocessing responsive to the request (P212), and character data(attribute information, display information) of the track number (themusic number) is sent as a first response data RP2C1 (P213), followed bysending character data of a music title stored in the track as a secondresponse data RP2C2 (P215).

When first character data (music number) is received as the firstresponse data RP2C1 (Q213), it is determined by the label printer(Q214)whether or not the received music number is a desired music number i(first, i=1). If it is not the desired music number i (No to Q214),another request is made (Q212), whereas when it is the desired musicnumber i (Yes to Q214), next, second character data (music title) isreceived as the second response data RP2C2 Q215) to store the firstcharacter data and the second character data as data of a music title(amusic number+a music title) in a predetermined area (Q216).

When character data of the first music title (music number 1 and acorresponding music title) has been stored (Q216), then, it isdetermined (Q217) whether or not the predetermined number of musicpieces have already been stored. That is, it is determined whether ornot the number of remaining music pieces j≦1 holds. At this time pointof the present description, only the first music title (of the musicnumber i=1) has been stored (j=20) (No to Q217), so that, then, themusic number i is incremented by 1 to set a desired music number i=2(=1+1), while the number of music pieces j is decremented by 1 to setthe number of remaining music pieces j=19 (=20−1) (Q218).

Thereafter, the same processes as described above (Q212, P212, P213,Q213, Q214, P215, Q215 and Q216) are carried out using the desired musicnumber i=2 and the number of remaining music pieces j=19. When characterdata of a next music title (music number 2 and a corresponding musictitle) has been stored (Q216), next, it is determined whether or not thepredetermined number of music pieces have been stored (whether or notthe number of remaining music pieces j=1 holds). Then, the music numberi is incremented by 1 to set a desired music number i=3 (=2+1), whilethe number of music pieces j is decremented by 1 to set the number ofremaining music pieces j=18 (=19−1) (Q218).

In the following, the same processes as described above are carried outas to each desired music number i=3, 4 and so forth (and each number ofremaining music pieces j=18, 17, etc.). When character data of the musictitle (music number 20 and a corresponding music title) of a desiredmusic number i=20 (the number of remaining music pieces j=1) has beenstored (Q216), then, it is determined whether or not the predeterminednumber of music pieces have been stored (whether or not the number ofremaining music pieces j≦1 holds). Now, since the number of remainingmusic pieces j=1 holds (Yes to Q217), all processes are terminated(Q219).

At this time point, character data (attribute information, displayinformation) desired to be obtained, of the disc title (the total numberof music pieces+the disc title) and the music titles (the music numbersand music titles) of all the music pieces (20 pieces) from music number1 has been read in and the character data has been stored in thepredetermined areas.

Further, in the above process for obtaining (data of) a desired musicnumber, it is only required that the track number is changed, and henceit is also possible to obtain the data thereof, by using a signal forrequesting successive depression of the REW key (i.e. the fast forwardrequest signal), as shown in FIG. 28 (in an area enclosed by squarebrackets designated by Q212). Further, if the setting of “i←i+1” (Q218)for setting the music number of a next music piece is changed to thesetting of “i←i−1”, it is possible to store data of music titles (musicnumbers+music titles) in reverse order (in descending numeric order incontrast to ascending numeric order in the above example).

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 29, a process corresponding to one shownin FIG. 26 may be designed in subroutines (in modules) as a disc titlerequesting/storing process (S201), a process corresponding to one shownin FIG. 27 as a disc title-requesting preparation process (S202), and aprocess corresponding to one shown in FIG. 28 as a music titlerequesting/storing process (S203), and the processes are sequentiallyactivated, whereby the same processing as described above with referenceto FIGS. 26 to 28 can be carried out as a print data-reading process(S20). Further, although in the above case, each process shown in FIGS.26 to 28 was set as an interrupt handling routine activated bydepressing the read key (an interrupt input by the read key), this isnot limitative, but the overall process (S20) may be further designed ina subroutine such that the process can be activated from a processingroutine at the upper level.

As described above, the MD player (disc playback system) according tothe fourth embodiment is constructed such that it receives requestsignals generated through key operation of the remote controller andsends to the remote control character data responsive to the requestsignals out of character data to be displayed on the display block ofthe remote controller, so that if the label printer has (request) keysfor generating the same request signals as generated by the remotecontroller to thereby carry out the same processing as by the remotecontroller, the same character data as obtained by the remote controllercan be obtained by the label printer.

On the other hand, according to the label printer of the fourthembodiment, a plurality of request signals are generated simply bydepressing the read (request) key (through a single operation ofexternal operating means), and a plurality of successive request signalsformed by combining the plurality of request signals are sent to the MDplayer (disc playback system), so that it is possible to obtain aplurality of character data items responding to the plurality ofsuccessive request signals through a single operation of externaloperating means.

For instance, in the examples described above with reference to FIGS. 26to 29, character data of a disc title (the total number of musicpieces+a disc title) and the music titles (the music numbers and musictitles) of all the music pieces (20 pieces) starting from music number 1was obtained (received, read in). Although to obtain such an amount ofcharacter data (display data) by operating the remote controller, atleast 22 key operations (Q201×1, Q206×1 and Q212×20) are required,according to the label printer of the fourth embodiment, as describedabove, it is possible to obtain the amount of character data (displaydata) by a single operation of the read key.

As a result, part or whole of obtained data can be printed on a label asit is or after editing the same, and hence it is possible to formbeautiful labels for use in affixation to an MD (disc) cartridge 901 andan MD (disc) casing 902 (see FIG. 18) by a simple operation.

Further, it is preferred that a request signal for requesting all thecharacter data items to be printed on a label is contained in aplurality of successive request signals.

For instance, in the examples described above with reference to FIGS. 26to 29, when character data of a disc title (the total number of musicpieces+a disc title) and the music titles (the music numbers and musictitles) of all the music pieces (20 pieces) from music number 1 isobtained, all the character data items to be printed on the FIG. 4 mainlabel and the FIG. 7 side labels are obtained through a single operationof the read key.

That is, through causing a request signal for requesting all thecharacter data items to be printed e.g. on the FIGS. 4 and 7 labels tobe contained in a plurality of successive request signals generated by asingle operation of the read key, all the character data items requiredfor printing on a label can be obtained by executing the singleoperation of the read key, which makes it possible to more easily formthe labels shown in the FIGS. 4 and 7, for instance.

It should be noted that the print start button 9 used in the first tothird embodiments is external operating means which activates the FIG.10 process to make a plurality of successive attribute informationreadout requests, so that the print start button 9 corresponds to (a keyhaving the enhanced function of) the read (request) key.

Although in the first to fourth embodiments, the description was madebased on an example of a disc system which uses an MD as a disc to bereproduced by a disc playback system, this is not limitative, but theinvention can be applied to other disc systems as well, so long as theyare capable of reading out main information stored in arecordable/reproducible disc and attribute information (managementinformation, text information and the like) corresponding thereto.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the label printer according to the invention issuitable for printing by using data stored in a recordable/reproducibledisc and forming labels for use in affixation to various places on thedisc at a time through a simple operation. Further, the label printer issuitable for making labels from which the contents of a disc can beeasily comprehended, regardless of the amount of the contents of thedisc.

What is claimed is:
 1. A label printer arrangement comprising: anattribute information request generator that, to a control block of adisc playback system which reads main information stored in a disc inresponse to a main information readout request generated by externaloperating means, and reads attribute information concerning said maininformation in response to an attribute information readout requestgenerated by said external operating means, said attribute informationbeing formed of text data, read out from said disc and stored in apredetermined area of a main unit of said system, makes said attributeinformation readout request in place of said external operating means orin combination with said external operating means, the externaloperating means including a remote controller for externally operatingsaid disc playback system, the disc playback system including remotecontrol communication means for outputting attribute information inresponse to an attribute information readout request from said remotecontroller, to said remote controller, the remote control communicationmeans comprising means for communicating with said remote controller bywire, and the attribute information request generator transmitting saidattribute information readout request via said remote controlcommunication means; a printer for printing on a label to be affixed toa disc cartridge accommodating said disc, the printer being connected tosaid disc playback system via said remote control communication means ina wired manner; and a printer controller for causing said attributeinformation read out in response to said attribute information readoutrequest made by said attribute information request means to be convertedto dot pattern data for print and causing said print means to print saiddot pattern data, the print controller converting said attributeinformation received via said remote control communication means to saiddot pattern data; wherein the disc playback system has a remotecontroller connecting block with a connector terminal for inputting oroutputting of data, the printer has a printer cable removably connectedto the connector terminal of the remote controller connecting block, andthe printer controller is capable of being in communication with thecontrol block of the disc playback system via the printer cable and theconnector terminal of the remote controller connecting block.
 2. A labelprinter according to claim 1, wherein said remote control communicationmeans includes a connector terminal that enables said remote controllerto be removably connected thereto.
 3. A label printer according to claim2, wherein said remote controller is constructed in a manner such thatsaid remote controller is capable of transmitting an attributeinformation readout request that requests display information, as saidattribute information, which is to be displayed on a display block ofsaid remote controller; and wherein said attribute information requestgenerator is capable of transmitting an attribute information readoutrequest that requests the same display information that is requested bysaid remote controller.
 4. A label printer according to claim 2, whereinsaid remote control communication means comprises means for carrying outoptical communication with said remote controller, and wherein saidlabel printer is capable of carrying out transmission to and receptionfrom said disc playback system via said remote control communicationmeans by optical communication.
 5. A label printer according to claim 4,further including remote control means for generating control signals tooperate said disc playback system.
 6. A label printer according to claim1, wherein said external operating means includes a disc-operating blockhaving a disc operation button group arranged on an outer surface ofsaid main unit accommodating said disc playback system, wherein saiddisc playback system has a display block on which part or all of saidattribute information read in response to said attribute informationreadout request from said disc-operating block as display information,and wherein said attribute information request generator has a printingoperation button group arranged on said outer surface of said main unitof said system and is constructed in a manner such that said attributeinformation request generator is used in combination with saiddisc-operating block to make said attribute information readout requestrequesting said display information, said attribute information requestgenerator being accommodated within said main unit of said systemtogether with said printer, said print controller and said disc playbacksystem.
 7. A label printer according to claim 6, wherein said printcontroller shares a part of structures of said control block of saiddisc playback system.
 8. A label printer according to claim 1, whereinsaid attribute information request means has print start-instructingmeans for instructing the start of processing of printing on said label,and makes said attribute information readout request after the start ofprinting is instructed.
 9. A label printer according to claim 1, whereinsaid disc playback system includes storage means for storing, as saidattribute information, text data read from said disc or newly producedwithin said system as to said main information stored in said disc, andreads out said attribute information from said storage means in responseto said attribute information readout request.
 10. A label printeraccording to claim 1, wherein said print controller is operable toconvert said attribute information to a dot pattern for printing, andwherein the printer is adapted to print on a printing tape formed with ahalf-die-cut label.
 11. A label printer according to claim 10, furtherincluding label-storing means on which said printing tape can beremovably mounted.
 12. A label printer according to claim 11, whereinsaid printing tape includes a plurality of half-die-cut labelscontinuously formed.
 13. A label printer according to claim 12, whereinsaid printing tape is accommodated in a cassette, and wherein saidlabel-storing means is constructed in a manner such that said cassettecan be removably mounted in said label-storing means.
 14. A labelprinter according to claim 10, wherein said half-die-cut label of saidprinting tape includes a plurality of kinds of half-die-cut label whichare different from each other in the size of an outer shape.
 15. A labelprinter according to claim 14, wherein said plurality of types ofhalf-die-cut label include a main label to be affixed to a front face ofsaid disc cartridge, and a side label to be affixed to a side surface ofsaid disc cartridge.
 16. A label printer according to claim 15, whereinsaid half-die-cut label of said printing tape includes a plurality ofsheets of said side label.
 17. A label printer according to claim 15,further including a print buffer for storing said dot pattern datatherein, and wherein said print controller stores dot pattern data forsaid main label in said print buffer when said main label is printed,and stores dot pattern data for said side label in said print bufferwhen said side label is printed.
 18. A label printer according to claim15, wherein said attribute information includes a disc title of saiddisc, main information numbers, and main information titles, and whereinsaid print controller creates dot pattern data of said disc title, saidmain information numbers, and said main information titles at a locationof said main label, and dot pattern data of said disc title at alocation of said side label.
 19. A label printer according to claim 10,wherein said attribute information includes a disc title of said disc,main information numbers and main information titles, wherein saidhalf-die-cut label for said printing tape includes a main label to beaffixed to a front face of said disc cartridge, and wherein said printcontroller creates dot pattern data of said attribute information at alocation of said main label.
 20. A label printer according to claim 19,wherein said print control means creates dot pattern data of said disctitle for one line on said main label, and when said dot pattern data ofsaid disc title has a length larger than a maximum print width of saidmain label, creates the remaining dot pattern data for a next line onsaid main label, said print controller creating in succession dotpattern data of one main information number and main information titlecorresponding thereto for each identical line of the remaining lines,and when a total length of said dot pattern data of said maininformation number and said main information title corresponding theretois larger than said maximum print width of said main label, forming theremaining dot pattern data for a next line on said main label.
 21. Alabel printer according to claim 19, wherein said print controllercreates dot pattern data of said disc title from a first line on saidmain label, and creates dot pattern data of said main informationnumbers and said main information titles corresponding thereto from anext line in order of larger numbers.
 22. A label printer according toclaim 20, wherein said print controller creates dot pattern data of saiddisc title from a first line on said main label, and creates dot patterndata of said main information numbers and said main information titlescorresponding thereto from a next line in order of larger numbers, andwherein when all of said main information numbers and said maininformation titles corresponding thereto cannot be printed on lines upto a last line determined by the maximum number of lines printable onsaid main label, a dot pattern notifying a fact of this event is createdas a dot pattern of said last line.
 23. A label printer according toclaim 22, wherein said fact includes the remaining number of pieces ofsaid main information which remain to be printed.
 24. A label printeraccording to claim 23, wherein said attribute information furtherincludes play times respectively corresponding to said main informationnumbers and a date of each recording, wherein said attribute informationrequest generator has print selection means for selecting andinstructing a combination of pieces of attribute information to berequested by said attribute information readout request, wherein theselecting instruction concerning said combination of pieces of attributeinformation which can be given by said printing selecting meansincludes, in addition to a first selecting instruction in which acombination of said disc title, said main information numbers, and saidmain information titles is selected for designation, a third selectinginstruction in which a combination of said play times and dates ofrecording is selected for designation, and wherein said print controllercreates, as said dot pattern, dot pattern data of the selected anddesignated combination of pieces of attribute information out of saidattribute information at said location of said main label.
 25. A labelprinter according to claim 24, wherein the selecting instructionconcerning said combination of pieces of said attribute informationfurther includes a second selecting instruction in which when all ofsaid main information numbers and main information titles correspondingthereto cannot be printed on lines up to said last line determined bythe maximum number of lines printable on said main label even if saidfirst selecting instruction is selected for designation, a combinationof the remaining main information numbers and main information titles isselected for designation.
 26. A label printer according to claim 24,wherein said print control means creates dot pattern data of a play timeand a date of recording corresponding to each main information number ina manner coincident with a line of said each main information number inthe case of said first selecting instruction being selected fordesignation, when said third selecting instruction is selected fordesignation.
 27. A label printer according to claim 10, wherein saidattribute information includes a disc title of said disc, wherein saidhalf-die-cut label of said printing tape includes a side label to beaffixed to a side surface of said disc cartridge, and wherein said printcontroller creates dot pattern data of said disc title at a location ofsaid side label.
 28. A label printer according to claim 27, wherein saidhalf-die-cut printing tape includes a plurality of side labels.
 29. Alabel printer according to claim 27, wherein said print controllercreates said dot pattern data of said disc title in a manner such that acenter of said dot pattern data of said disc title along a lengththereof is coincident with a center of said side label along a lengththereof.
 30. A label printer according to claim 27, wherein said printcontroller creates dot pattern data of a title comment in a fixed formwhich indicates that information is a disc title, at a first portion ofa printing area of said side label, and then dot pattern data of saiddisc title at the following printing area.
 31. A label printer accordingto claim 10, wherein pieces of said main information in said disc arenumbered main information numbers, respectively, wherein said attributeinformation includes a disc title of said disc, said main informationnumbers and main information titles corresponding thereto, as well as adate of recording of a piece of said main information which has asmallest one of said main information numbers, wherein said half-die-cutlabel includes a side label to be affixed to a side surface of said disccartridge, and wherein said print controller creates dot pattern data ofsaid disc title at a location of said side label as said dot pattern,when said attribute information read in response to said attributeinformation readout request by said attribute information requestgenerator contains said disc title, creates dot pattern data of saidpiece of said main information which has said smallest one of said maininformation numbers in place of said disc title, when said readattribute information does not contain said disc title but contains saidmain information titles, and creates dot pattern data of said date ofsaid recording, when said read attribute information does not containsaid disc title nor said main information titles.
 32. A label printeradapted to be connected to a disc playback system, the disc playbacksystem being operable to read main information from a disc in responseto a main information readout request and read attribute informationassociated with the main information from the disc in response to anattribute information readout request, the label printer comprising: anattribute information request generator for generating attributeinformation readout requests for the disc playback system to read outattribute information from a disc; a printer for printing on a label tobe affixed to a disc or a disc cartridge therefor; and a printcontroller for processing attribute information read out from the discby the disc playback system in response to the attribute informationreadout requests, and for controlling the printer to print the processedattribute information on a label to be affixed to the disc from whichthe attribute information is read out or the disc cartridge therefor.33. The label printer of claim 32, wherein the disc playback system hasa remote control communication section operable to communicate with aremote controller to receive control signals for operating the discplayback system, to receive attribute information request, and to outputattribute information read from a disc to the remote controller, whereinthe attribute information request generator is operable to transmit theattribute information requests to the disc playback system via theremote control communication section, and wherein the print controlleris operable to receive the attribute information from the disc playbacksystem via the remote control communication section.
 34. The labelprinter of claim 33, wherein the attribute information request generatorand the print controller are operable to transmit the attributeinformation requests to and receive the attribute information from thedisc playback system, respectively, via a wired connection to the remotecontrol communication section.
 35. The label printer of claim 34,wherein the remote control communication section includes a connectorterminal for removably connecting with the remote controller, andwherein the label printer further comprises a connector adapted toremovably connect with the connector terminal of the remote controlcommunication section.
 36. The label printer of claim 33, where theattribute information request generator and the print controller areoperable to transmit the attribute information requests to and receivethe attribute information from the disc playback system, respectively,via a wireless connection to the remote control communication section.37. The label printer of claim 33, further comprising a remote controlsection operable to generate the control signals for operating the discplayback system.
 38. The label printer of claim 32, wherein theattribute information request generator, the printer and the printcontroller are disposed within a housing of the disc playback system.39. The label printer of claim 32, further comprising an input devicefor inputting print-start instructions, wherein the attributeinformation request generator generates an attribute information readoutrequest in response to a print-start instruction.
 40. A disc playerhaving an integrated label printer, comprising: a disc operating sectionfor generating main information readout requests and attributeinformation readout requests; a disc playback section for reading maininformation from a disc in response to a main information readoutrequest and to read attribute information associated with the maininformation from the disc in response to an attribute informationreadout request; a printer for printing on a label to be affixed to adisc or a disc cartridge; a printer operating section for generating anattribute information readout request for reading out attributeinformation from a disc for which a label is to be printed; a controlsection for processing attribute information read out from the disc inresponse to the attribute information readout request generated by theprinter operating section, and for controlling the printer to print theprocessed attribute information on a label to be affixed to the discfrom which the attribute information is read out or a disc cartridgetherefor; and a housing, wherein the disc operating section, the discplayback section, the printer operating section, the printer, and thecontrol section are disposed within or on the housing.
 41. The discplayer of claim 40, wherein the disc operating section includes a discoperation button group disposed on the housing, and the printeroperating section includes a printer operation button group disposed onthe housing.
 42. The disc player of claim 40, further comprising adisplay disposed on the housing for displaying at least part of theattribute information read from the disc as display information.
 43. Thedisc player of claim 40, wherein the control section controls theprinter to print the information displayed on the display on the label.44. The disc player of claim 40, wherein the controller further controlsthe disc playback section.
 45. The disc player of claim 40, furthercomprising a storage device for storing attribute information, whereinthe control section generates attribute information based on maininformation read out from the disc, stores the generated attributeinformation as well as attribute information directly read out from thedisc in the storage device, and reads out the attribute information fromthe disc in response to attribute information readout requests.
 46. Amethod for printing a label to be affixed to disc or a disc cartridgefor the disc, comprising: generating a request to a disc playback systemfor reading out attribute information from the disc; reading out theattribute information from the disc in response to the request using thedisc playback system; processing the attribute information read out fromthe disc to generate a pattern for printing on a label; printing thepattern generated from the attribute information on the label; andaffixing the label to the disc from which the attribute information isread out.